Chak De! India is the latest in a string of inspirational sports films. What is it about sport that is so uplifting?
CHAK DE! INDIA has sure made the country really ‘go for it’. Whether it’s the men’s hockey team lifting the Asia Cup, the resurgent women’s hockey team, or even the Indian cricket team who were instructed to watch the film to ‘get inspired’ before their crucial match at the Oval, the sports film has filled viewers with patriotic fervour. And it’s not the first time a sports-based film has had this effect. In an online poll of the 100 Most Inspirational Films of All Time, sports-based films cornered almost 10 per cent of the nominations of the 1,500 jury members consisting of film actors, critics and historians. Whether it’s the feel-good Rocky series, Raging Bull or Chariots of Fire, or even Iqbal and Lagaan closer home, these films do a lot more than tell a sporting tale. Former hockey champ Ashish Ballal believes that while movies like Chak De! India have a positive effect, it’s far from being the sole reason for winning. “There’s so much blood, sweat and tears that goes into our victories,” he says, “But sports-based movies create feelings of patriotism, belief in fighting back and winning against all odds — and audiences love stories like that. Lagaan was like that. It’s natural for people to support underdogs against the established favourites — that’s what makes such films rousing.” His personal faves? “Chariots of Fire was inspiring and historical. Rocky was also wonderful,” he says.
Performance coach Ashlesh Rao also acknowledges the effect
Chak De! India
had on viewers and agrees that sports-based films are magical because many are about overcoming desperate odds. “What happened with the hockey coach in the movie was inspiring — he turned the team around and produced tremendous results.” Scenes where he makes players from different states realise that they must play as one and where the men’s team applauds a defeated women’s team are most touching, he says. “Sports films make you think beyond yourself — as with Rocky. Even today, when Rocky’s music is played in gyms, it’s inspiring. Patriotism and sports go well together. And almost everyone dreams of being a sportsperson. There’s something heroic about sports,” he says.
Movie director Gautam Menon doesn’t agree that only sports films have an uplifting effect. “Chak De! India and Lagaan were basically well-made films with good screenplays. Both were about underdogs, and that appeals to people. Lagaan especially was path-breaking in its depiction of sport — it had a period feel plus the much-loved sport of cricket,” he says. His personal favourites include films on boxing — Cinderella Man, Hurricane and Raging Bull .“They have a lot of meaning.” But the most adrenaline-pumping? “Escape to Victory. Yet any well-made film can be inspirational,” he adds.
Internet writer Kenneth Quinell analyses sporting fervour in a blog: “If the team that was supposed to win each game always did, there would be no reason to actually play any games... Those times when the human spirit triumphs are the moments that keep the fans coming back for more. If you take a look at most of those winning underdogs, you will find a coach who gave a motivational pre-match speech, who instilled in the players an unconquerable desire to win... Of course, most of the time, the favoured team does win, but on those occasions when the team that was given up on wins, fans everywhere fall in love with the sport all over again.”
Influential films about sport
Chariots of Fire — athletics
Goal — football
Rocky — boxing
Raging Bull — boxing
Sea Biscuit — horse racing
Bend It Like Beckham — football
Field of Dreams — baseball
Miracle — hockey
Iqbal — cricket
Lagaan — cricket
A still from Rocky Balboa
A still from
Goal!
A still from
Chak De! India
A still from Lagaan
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