October 25, 2024: Veteran actor Annu Kapoor has stirred controversy by claiming that the makers of Shah Rukh Khan’s Chak De! India deliberately introduced a communal angle to the film. According to Kapoor, the filmmakers changed the lead character’s background to depict a Muslim, straying from the real-life inspiration behind the story.
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Kapoor pointed out that Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Kabir Khan, was originally based on real-life hockey coach Mir Ranjan Negi. However, in the film, the character was changed to a fictional Kabir Khan. Speaking to ANI, Kapoor alleged, “The main character in Chak De! India is based on a famous coach, Negi Saab. But in India, they want to show a Muslim as a good character and make fun of a Pandit (Hindu priest). This is an old practice, using the idea of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (Hindu-Muslim unity) to put a label on it.”
This statement from Kapoor comes shortly after he sparked another controversy, claiming that his 7 Khoon Maaf co-star Priyanka Chopra refused to kiss him on screen because he was not a mainstream hero.
Annu Kapoor’s Career Known for his roles in films like Mandi, Utsav, Mr. India, Ghayal, Hum, Aitraaz, and 7 Khoon Maaf, Annu Kapoor has had a longstanding career in Bollywood. Besides acting, he hosts a popular radio show titled Suhaana Safar With Annu Kapoor.
About Chak De! India Released in 2007, Chak De! India is a Bollywood sports drama directed by Shimit Amin. The film revolves around Kabir Khan (played by Shah Rukh Khan), a former men’s hockey player who is accused of betraying his country after losing a crucial match against Pakistan. To redeem himself, he takes up the challenge of coaching the Indian women’s hockey team, which is struggling and underestimated.
Chak De! India was both a critical and commercial success, praised for its portrayal of sportsmanship, unity, and resilience. The film featured Shah Rukh alongside a cast of newcomers playing the hockey players, and it remains one of the most beloved sports films in Indian cinema.
