Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan cheered up for the Indian women’s hockey team on Monday, bringing back the dedicated hockey coach vibe from his sports drama ‘Chak De! India’. The team made their maiden entry into the Tokyo Olympic semifinals in their bid to bring home a gold medal.
Directed by Shimit Amin, the 2007 film featured Shah Rukh Khan as Kabir Khan, leading the Indian women’s hockey team against Australia in the World Cup.
Interestingly, the reel victory came to life today as the Dutch coach Sjoerd Marijne and captain Rani Rampal-led team created history by qualifying for first ever semifinal at the Olympics in Tokyo after beating three-time champions Australia by a solitary goal.
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Marijne apologised to his family for delaying his travel plans in a tweet, quipping “Sorry family. I coming again later. (sic)” To which Shah Rukh responded with, “Haan haan no problem. Just bring some Gold on your way back….for a billion family members. This time Dhanteras is also on 2nd Nov. From: Ex-coach Kabir Khan.”
On Dhanteras, which marks the first day of the five-day festival of Diwali, people purchase utensils and jewellery to bring good luck.
Marijne expressed his gratitude in a tweet with a team photo and said, “Thank you for all the support and love. We will give everything again. From: The Real Coach.”
Following the win, hashtags of ‘Kabir Khan’ and ‘Chak De! India’ started trending on the microblogging site Twitter.
Bollywood personalities, including Anushka Sharma, Arjun Kapoor, and Taapse Pannu also jumped onto the congratulatory bandwagon.
“Our chakk de moment never felt more real! Our girls beat the Aussies 1-0 and stormed into the semis! Go for it @imranirampal your girls have our heart,” Taapsee Pannu wrote, tagging Rampal.
AnushkaSharma took to Instagram and said, “India creates history again!! Congratulations to the women’s hockey team on qualifying for the semi finals! Super proud.”
A day after the Indian men’s team entered the Olympic semifinals following a 49-year gap, the world no. 9 women’s side also produced a phenomenally gritty performance against the world no 2 Australia in an intense quarterfinals.
In another post, Anushka Sharma lauded the men’s team called it a ‘glorious’ moment.
“Incredible performance! Congratulations on qualifying for the semis. What a glorious moment for our country! Men’s and Women’s hockey teams are into the semis!” she said.
Arjun Kapoor wrote, “What a proud moment for us! Both our hockey teams went into the semi finals! Let’s go team India. We’re so proud.” Actor Randeep Hooda said it was surreal to witness the game imitating the thrill of the film “Chak De! India”.
The Indian side will play Argentina in the semifinal on Wednesday.
