Aug 16, 2007 10:14 AM
2718 Views
I have witnessed a thousand times, gender bias being played against both men & women. Men are 'supposed' to be this way and women are 'supposed' to be that way. In India, over the years, women have grown to understand their capabilities and have understood that the difference between what the women in generations before them "have actually done" & what they "can actually do" is enormous. Titanic. And probably the reason behind the gender bias against women is so harsh is because the expectations from them are still old school.
The old school of thought still prevails in movies, wherein although women ARE essential ingredients to a latest pot boiler story line, and women ARE getting meatier, chunkier parts in movies, the characterisations ARE sadly still the same. Although we have seen changes, some sparks here & there, we see the stale similarities to what has been always prevalent. It aches to think of the countless examples of women characters being portrayed as aggressive, successful, intelligent women only to come crashing down by the second half of the movie where they do their over the top sacrificing "I'll - do anything- for-the love-of –my life/ family/ motherhood blah blah " stint; all in the name of "this is what the aam junta wants". It really aches.
I've been waiting to watch a genuine, un-dramatic, truly feminist movie, which is about equality of rights to woman. & this is where Chak De –India truly delivers.
The Storyline ~
We have a bunch of versatile girls from across the country coming in with their own flavours, accents, general ideas in life to form the Indian Hockey Team. The only thing common between them is their love for hockey, and their talent & belief in the game. There is a natural flow of innate human propensities & stark shades of rivalry, narcissism, jealousy, gang up, temper, attitude, and rebelling. We have Shah Rukh Khan, playing a fallen hero, who coaches & binds them all together, and strives to get the best out of them as a team. Despite all the odds; of the players having little encouragement from their families, the hockey association belittling the women's hockey team, the players playing internationally for the first time, the players being against each other; the team triumphs & wins the world cup—something that was unthinkable to everyone (except the coach!).
The movie is about the sport. About the attitude, neglect and irreverence we have against the national game.
It's about team spirit. About how in one way or the other, one CAN bring out the best out of ANYBODY. It is about making a dream, an idea, into a reality.
It's about human nature. About how a rumour, if talked about over & over again, DOES become a reality. It is about how a perception about a reality can be changed.
It's about not accepting what is written in stone and creating a new writing on the stone, which everyone else will start believing in.
It's about regional & religious biases we have, which invariably reflect in everyday interactions.
It's about the ownership & pride of being an Indian.
It's about gender biases. Where women are expected to leave behind their passions & careers to pursue marriages.
And above all, it's about how a woman CAN do what she WANTS TO DO despite all odds.
The best dialogue of the movie is where SRK says that to win, the strength doesn’t matter, what matters is the attitude! That’s the basis of the whole story line. After all- IT IS IN THE ATTITUDE!
Performances ~
Shah Rukh Khan leaves behind his stardom & pomposity and does what a successful actor of his stature is normally expected to do. There isn't any flamboyance in the part where he loses all what he had in life. There aren’t any heavy duty dialogues & dramatics when he is cornered facing difficult times coaching his team or facing the hockey association. I must say, it was a pleasant surprise & a treat to watch something so simply & sincerely delivered by SRK.
The girls were raw & raring to go. It was amazing to see the freshness & enthusiasm in them that seems long gone in most of the current brigade of so called hot female actors of today. No make-up & lots of focus.
Amongst all, the ones who left a lasting impression were the ones who played Bindiya Naik, Komal, Balbeer Kaur, Ahilya & Preety Sabharwal. (but probably that was b'cuz their characters were well etched!)
In all, I would recommend the movie, especially to all SRK-haters (I've been one of them! chuckle ! chuckle !!!). It’s a good watch, & coming around Independence Day, it’s the perfect thing to do!
