When was the last time you went in search of skill and substance and not skin and sizzle in a Hindi cinema?
Or when was the last time you desperately tried to be all ears to every single dialogue instead of waiting for a particular scene or song?
And do you remember if you were ever able to digest a Bollywood product with no lovey-dovey passionate act?
Ok the last one!
Can you recall the time when you had none of these elements and yet you came out of the theatre smiling?
Tough one, ain't it? Well Shimit Amin's Chak De India makes you savour this tough treat. And take my words… you'll relish it to the core!
So no matter what opinion you held for other such sporty flicks coming out from the tinsel town, like Tara Rum Pum or Hattrick, this one won't talk about anything but sports.
Well what follows is another story. What happens is better if watched.
But what matters is how it all happened.
And it is this defining flavour that distinguishes the director as deserving.
There are hardly time when a director does not carry forward the shades of his earlier films into the next. But Amin has kept Ab Tak Chappan miles behind. And mind you, it's no easy job to venture into two completely different moods and that too without hiccups.
Complimenting Amin's act is Jaideep Sahni's script, who has not once diverted from the main theme – sports.
The duo proved that a powerful storyline and a punching direction can create waves even if you don't have the dancing-around-the-trees act or the usual love-you-kiss-you-miss-you piece.
The background score is excellent and not just adds life to the already lively screenplay but also makes you heart go THUMP.
The narration is tight and the editing is slick. The cinematography is first-rate.
And now, for the performances.
If Shah Rukh the star, pulled you to the cinema hall, it's Shah Rukh the actor, who is gonna keep you gripped.
His over dose in Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna that made him fall flat, is no where to be seen. Instead the man stands firm, stands tall and rises gracefully. The director has never tried to glorify the character Kabir. And SRK reflects that aptly. He was there for his own reason and was guided by his own reason.
So even if you're a non-SRK fan, you gotta go 'n see the guy perform. And if you still remain unconvinced, just tell me one actor who would have dared to risk a script which has no usual B-masala. The man knows his job and understands his strength!
As for the girls, well they are the face of the entire film. Even the word 'brilliant' would be an understatement. Each deliver their unique performance in style.
They make you laugh, they make you giggle, they make you sit there and realise that they are out their to perform and would not goof it up for anything.
All have a special place but it was Chitrashi Rawat as Komal Chautala, Shilpa Shukla as Bindia Naik, Tanya Abrol as Balbir Kaur, and Sagarika Ghatge as Preeti Sabarwal, who were the lifeline of the film. Vidya Malavade as Vidya Sharma has also sketched her role beautifully.
Yashraj Films have their first winner of this year in their hands. This shows that their movies with Shahrukh is the best combo both national and international. Leave out Abhishek Bachchan & Saif Ali Khan who did nothing and gained nothing for Jhoom Bara Bar Jhoom & Tara Rum Pum Pum