Latest news with #ChakDe
Mint
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Wes Anderson's ‘The Phoenician Scheme' and Aamir Khan's ‘Sitare Zameen Par' — Hidden money lessons
Both Wes Anderson and Aamir Khan have a fan following that is set in their ways. Fans gave Aamir Khan a label 'Mr. Perfectionist'. Makes you wonder why he is remaking a movie - Woody Harrleson starrer Champions - about basketball, a sport that can be described as 'niche interest' for Indians and about a Chak De like plot but with differently abled young people. The debacle of Lal Singh Chaddha wasn't enough for him? Or do Indian writers not have any original stories? Wes Anderson is known for his films that are 'different'. The Phoenician Scheme is as niche as it gets. Fans will flock to watch a film that has big stars like Tom Hanks, Bill Murray, Benedict Cumberbatch, and more… With Benicio Del Toro handing out live grenades to his relatives, fans have a big screen treat in store for them. . Two very different films with totally different plots offer money lessons to the smart investor. Aamir Khan plays an assistant basketball coach with a short fuse and yes, an even shorter temper. His personal failures earn him fines as well as community service (a concept introduced to the judicial system in India only in 2023). He has to coach a team of differently abled people - those who are autistic and afflicted with Down's Syndrome - and win like Kabir Khan a la Chak De, India!. This bunch of rag tag folk with different quirks - one won't bathe because he is afraid of water, but loves animals, another tends to stare at the sky to track flights, and there's one who is scammed by his employer to work at half the pay but longer hours… Every story is meant to touch your heartstrings, but because each comes with a moral science lesson, the film makes you want to upchuck into your popcorn. The film gets 'A' in its report card because the 'Sitare' team wins despite not winning. That lesson is just better than anything else the film tries to 'teach'. This should have been slotted for a Direct to OTT slot, because Woody Harrelson's Champions does the same job much better. If the film teaches us to be more inclusive and that 'our normal is our normal and their normal is their normal', but in front of these differently abled folk, I wish Aamir had at least tried to be genuine rather than put on an act. His whole schtick just feels hollow. But the film teaches us valuable money lessons. Financial stability often requires effort and adaptability. The movie shows that Hargobind, who is on the spectrum, does not trust coaches, and prefers to play alone. The coach has to win his trust, and get him to play in the team. Kudos to the director who manages to convince us that there is joy in playing the game and that winning is not everything. This can be a powerful lesson, reminding viewers that while financial security is important, it shouldn't be the only pursuit. The movie explores themes of overcoming personal struggles and finding redemption, both for Gulshan the grumpy coach and the team members. So take a quick break and call your personal finance manager just to say thank you. After all, your success is because you have a great team working with you. A businessman chooses his successor - his daughter, a young novice who insists she is going to become a nun. He has ten sons as well, who are happiest using a real crossbow aimed at dad. Dad though has survived many assassination attempts across many geographies. His assistants die horribly, and even though he has been shot at and suffered plane crashes, you sit there in the dark grinning. Wes Anderson is obviously going somewhere with these delightful attempted murders. The businessman Anatole 'Zsa Zsa' Korda (played by Benicio Del Toro) is going to divert waters and build a new expansive infrastructure (train, towns et al) across the desert. He has made deals with his family and friends. He needs to renegotiate deals to finish the railroad, which has just fallen short by a few feet. He could put his own money, but this is a Wes Anderson movie, so he embarks on a quest to meet and make new deals with every partner. Feels like a bit of a maths lesson, but who cares when the scheme by this rich man looks so enticing? Zsa Zsa even offers to marry his cousin (Scarlett Johanson!) and plays a game of basketball against Tom Hanks and Bryan Cranston… The American government has sent a spy to figure out his business deals and if he's evading taxes. How he manages to survive a fight with his murderous brother (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a fun watch. As an investor though you must realise that investing your money into businesses with family and friends is great until you are faced with the disadvantages. There will always be someone who is dissatisfied with their share of earnings, dividends and what have you to trigger them into finding faults. Zsa Zsa is how we perceive rich oligarchs - travelling in their private jets, dodging taxes because they have different nationalities, men who think nothing of destabilizing governments and exploiting local workers and yes, fathering many children… If you work with someone like Zsa Zsa Korda, or have enough money to plan your own Modern Greater Independent Phoenicia, know the pitfalls of being rich: People will be out to get a slice of your wealth (learn to negotiate!); They will want to kill you (appoint your heirs on time, sign a living will with the help of a lawyer and update your bank KYCs); Have a Plan B in case you don't succeed at creating your Modern Greater Independent Phoenicia (Korda has cooking skills that help him start a restaurant!). And for God's sake, don't evade taxes. Wes Anderson's gallery of scoundrels gets an awesome addition with this beautifully detailed, stylish film. You step out of the theatre with a smile on your face and if you bump into someone who claims 'All Wes Anderson films are the same' you smile wider and reply, 'Help yourself to a grenade'. If only one could persuade Aamir Khan to wipe off that knowing 'I'm so good' smirk and get back to making movies, not moral science lessons. And yes, I also wish more people would watch Wes Anderson who refuses to make 'massy' movies… But will they listen? So I'm off to spend a little more of my hard earned money to watch Dhanush and drink overpriced multiplex coffee. Manisha Lakhe is a poet, film critic, traveller, founder of Caferati — an online writer's forum, hosts Mumbai's oldest open mic, and teaches advertising, films and communication. She can be reached on Twitter at @manishalakhe.
News18
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Why Salman Khan Thought He Wasn't Right For Chak De India: ‘I Left It Because...'
Last Updated: Shah Rukh Khan wasn't the first choice to play the lead role of Hockey coach Kabir Khan in Chak De India. Shah Rukh Khan's Chak De India is a timeless classic that continues to inspire audiences with its powerful story and memorable performances. The sports drama not only won over the audience but also became a success at the box office, despite a low opening. But did you know that Salman Khan was initially offered the role of Hockey coach Kabir Khan? So, what went wrong? Let's delve into the story behind the scenes and discover why Salman Khan passed on this iconic role, paving the way for Shah Rukh Khan's masterpiece. According to various reports, Salman Khan's fee demands for Chak De India caused a disagreement with Aditya Chopra. However, during the Sultan's promotion, Salman Khan finally cleared the air around these speculations and opened up about the real reason behind opting out of the superhit film. The Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor, known for his witty answers, jokingly said, 'I left it because even Shah Rukh Khan should be a part of a few great films." Salman also shared that he had doubts about taking on the role of Kabir Khan, citing concerns that it might not align with his image at the time. 'When I was offered Chak De, my image was totally different as I was doing Partner and all those kinds of films. My only thing in Chak De was that my fans would expect me to wear a wig and win the match for India, which would not go for the film. That was not my genre at that point in time," he revealed. Salman went on to emphasise that it was a more serious film with limited commercial appeal. He said, 'It was a more serious kind of film and I was doing more of a commercial kind of cinema, which I am still doing. I would never move out of the commercial cinema zone, but it is just that there would be a lot of meaningful cinema in the commercial zone." Chak De India, directed by Shimit Amin, was a massive hit in 2007, becoming the second-highest grosser of the year after Om Shanti Om, another SRK blockbuster. First Published:
Pink Villa
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
When Shah Rukh Khan ‘replaced' Salman Khan in Chak De India– what really happened?
Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chak De India is considered among the finest films in his entire career. The movie not only impressed the audience but also emerged as a big money spinner at the box office, despite opening low. However, not many know that Shah Rukh Khan wasn't the first choice to play the lead role of Hockey coach Kabir Khan in Chak De India, but it was offered to Salman Khan. So, let's find out the reason why the sports drama couldn't materialize with Salman Khan. A few media reports claimed that Salman Khan had asked for a hefty remuneration for Chak De India. Because of the same, Aditya Chopra didn't work with him until Ek Tha Tiger (2012), where the Megastar signed on his terms. When Salman Khan revealed reason behind turning down Chak De India During Sultan promotions in 2016, when Salman Khan was asked why he turned down Chak De, the actor jokingly said, 'I left it because even Shah Rukh Khan should be a part of a few great films.' Furthermore, the actor mentioned that at that time, his image was not appropriate to play a sports coach like Kabir Khan. He pointed out that he left the movie due to the heroic expectations he carries among fans. 'When I was offered Chak De, my image was totally different as I was doing Partner and all those kinds of films. My only thing in Chak De was that my fans would expect me to wear a wig and win the match for India, which would not go for the film. That was not my genre at that point in time,' expressed Salman. The actor highlighted that Chak De India was inclined towards serious cinema and had fewer commercial aspects. He said, 'It was a more serious kind of film and I was doing more of a commercial kind of cinema which I am still doing. I would never move out of the commercial cinema zone but it is just that there would be a lot of meaningful cinema in the commercial zone.' For the unversed, Chak De India was directed by Shimit Amin. Released in 2007, the movie emerged as the second highest grosser of the year, only behind Om Shanti Om. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates.
Khaleej Times
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Look: Sagarika, Zaheer Khan share first photo of baby boy
Bollywood actress Sagarika Ghatge Khan and former cricketer Zaheer Khan have become parents to a baby boy. The Chak De fame actress shared the news in a joint post with her husband on Instagram on Wednesday. The couple have named their baby Fatehsinh Khan. The first picture shows Zaheer holding his newborn in his arms as Sagarika leans on his shoulder. The second photo features the couple holding their son's little hand as he sleeps peacefully in their arms. The black and white photos were accompanied with the caption: "With love, gratitude and divine blessings we welcome our precious little baby boy, Fatehsinh Khan." Chak De star Sagarika Ghatge and Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan tied the knot in a private ceremony in 2017. Sagarika is known for films like Chak De India, Fox and Irada. Zaheer Khan is a former Indian pacer who is currently mentoring the Lucknow Super Giants team in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025.
