Shah Rukh Khan, known for his diverse roles, including heroes, villains, and even a coach in ‘Chak De! India,’ has sparked debate with his portrayal of a hockey coach. Annu Kapoor, a prominent Bollywood actor, has raised concerns about the film’s characterization, specifically regarding the religious identity of the character inspired by Mir Ranjan Negi.
During the TV9 Bharatvarsh’s Satta Sammelan, Kapoor questioned the deliberate portrayal of the character as Muslim, despite the real-life inspiration being Mir Ranjan Negi. He suggested this was a creative choice made for commercial purposes, sparking controversy among viewers.
So, what’s the truth behind the film’s characterization? ‘Chak De! India,’ released in 2007, featured Shah Rukh Khan as Kabir Khan, a character loosely based on Mir Ranjan Negi. The film’s director, Shimit Amin, and screenwriter, Jaideep Sahani, have shed light on the creative process.
Sahani revealed that the script was written long before they knew about Mir Ranjan Negi. He emphasized that the film wasn’t intended to be a biopic but rather a fictionalized story focusing on the women’s hockey team. Negi himself was later involved as a technical advisor.
In an interview, Sahani stated that the script was written a year and a half before the film was made, and it was originally conceived to focus on the women’s hockey players. The filmmakers then contacted Mir Ranjan Negi, who eventually agreed to assist in training the stars.
Mir Ranjan Negi, a former goalkeeper for the Indian men’s hockey team, was involved in the development of ‘Chak De! India.’ He is from Almora. He was the goalkeeper in the 1982 Asian Games when India lost to Pakistan. Negi faced accusations and was labeled a traitor, mirroring some aspects of the film’s narrative. However, Negi has acknowledged that the film was not a biopic but a fictionalized account centered on the women’s team.