Chak De! India is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports films in Indian cinema . Shah Rukh Khan’s portrayal of Kabir Khan, the determined hockey coach, has left a lasting impression on audiences. The film is celebrated during major sporting events, its songs often echoing in stadiums and streets, yet many viewers are unaware that the story was inspired by real-life events surrounding India’s women’s hockey team. Here’s the story behind the film.

The Real-Life Inspiration

Screenwriter Jaideep Sahni, who had previously penned genre-defining films like Company and Khosla Ka Ghosla, stumbled upon the story by chance. In an interview with the Screenwriters Association, he recalled: “So, the India’s Women Hockey team had won a big international tournament, and it was a very small a

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