Among highly-rated Indian sports movies and a well-received film featuring one of Bollywood’s brightest talents was 2007’s Chak De! India.
Though inspired by the Indian hockey women’s team’s 2002 Commonwealth Games win, the fictional Shah Rukh Khan-starrer delves into a wide range of serious topics such as feminism, sexism, partition, bigotry and prejudice.
Returning from an ostracisation following a loss to Pakistan, Shah Rukh Khan’s character, former Indian captain Kabir Khan redeems himself by moulding and spurring the Indian eves on to victory.
Coinciding with India’s 60th Independence Day, the film strikes all the right patriotic chords and is a highly enjoyable watch even for non-hockey fans.