Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal: Disappoints

Quite a few of you would have seen 'Chak De' and been impressed with the overall tone of the movie, the way that a coach tries to overcome his history and blend a team together inspite of their individual differences, egos, and ambitions. And the result is gripping, with a good dose of patriotism possible. Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal seems to suffer on this count. The movie, even though set in the United Kingdom, tries the same logic with a disparate team of people, hard up, trying to make a last ditch attempt to pull themselves up and win a championship on which their team depends. However, even though I liked the thought of the movie itself, given that there did not seem to be much of a market for movies that explored the sports theme without much of a romance, villains, and other commercial aspects. After all, how often do you get to see a movie looking at South Asians based in London, and with no reference to going back to India, or with a romance, but purely based on the life of people in that location ?



And this brings me to a fact that is the killer of the movie; and when I mean killer, I don't mean in a positive way. Any movie that shows Indians in a foreign land has to have some element of racism thrown in, so you have almost (in fact all) goras being inherently racist, and this movie has that element in a very strong way. And to counter this, you have the South Asians grouping together, being inversely racist in their own way. Hard to think that this is the England who had a cricket captain pf Indian origin. And yet this is the central message of the movie; you have no future unless you are with your own, anybody who rebels against this culture seems to be seen as betraying your own culture. Kinda hard to see how you can integrate in another country unless you are able to get away from me, my own and be able to be open to integrate with people from other cultures. After all, Indians have always prided themselves in being able to integrate people from other cultures.
The story could have been so good; After all, here is this old club, now on hard times, called Southall United Football club, whom Arshad Warsi is trying to keep alive. However, the local council sees a large stadium, and wants to appropriate the location to build a shopping area; they could not have tried this if the club was winning, but it does not, and no one would care if this happened.
So now Arshad Warsi has to get the club players (an assorted mix of characters such as Raj Zutshi who are butchers, and other real life people when they are not playing football) to win the league, at a time when nobody would give them a chance at winning. They manage to guilt an older player Boman Irani to be their coach, and he reluctantly agrees. They also rope in Bipasha Basu (Arshad's cousin) as the team physio. For Bipasha, this must be the most non-sexy role that she has ever done in her career.
And so on, they lose the first match handily, with the natural recriminations among team members that happen in a losing team. What they need to do is to get a natural up-and-coming striker such as Sunny (John Abraham) into their team. But he is trying out for a good team, and won't even look at Southall United. His own parents consider him a traitor for not playing for Southall United, with his dad telling him that he will eventually see the edge of racism, which he does when he is not considered for better club. And then he joins Southall United, and starts bringing them up the league with wins, even though he does not get along with Arshad Warsi (and of course, during the whole movie he has a self-confident smirk on his face). He also starts developing a romance with Bipasha, and the scenes where Arshad realizes this and get uncomfortable are cute.
However, Dileep Tahil, who is a sports commentator and also working for the local council, gets John a contract with a new, much better club, at a much higher price and John switches. He gets abused from everybody for being a traitor, but really can't understand why he is being vilified (after all, he is born and brought up in England, and would consider any club to be a natural club, not necessarily a club populated by South Asians).
And now, the team is without their ace striker. So what happens ? DO they lose or do they win, and what happens to John ? Interesting questions.
Boman's role is good, but could have been better. The location is Old Trafford stadium where be brings the team members and shows them the super-stars and their dressing room is inspiring, but there are few moments in the movie that capture and hold attention. And I never could understand why they needed to have an item song in the movie ? It would be almost like the producers said that there should be an item number, and this seemed like the best time to have one. The movie is directed by Vivek Agnihotri, music is by Pritam Chakraborty and lyrics by Javed Akhtar


Videos of songs from the movie:

Billo Rani



Halla Bol



Hey Dude




Lyrics:

Billo Rani (Singers: Richa Sharma,Anand Raj Anand)

Shaher Mein Dusri Koi
Nahin Tujsi Billo
Billo Bolle Billo Billo
Jho Bhi Dekhh Yehi Pooche
Hain Yeh Kiski Billo Wahh

Har Aadhathi Jagathi Hain Qayamat Kho
Har Kadam Par Thu Girathi Chale Beejli Billo

Aha Aha Aha
Hoe Hoe

[Ishq Karke Tujse Deewana
Bethab Hua Barbaad Hua
Bhool Gaya Aapna Bhi Naam
Jab Naam Tera Isse Yaad Hua]2

Yeh Hain Jho Majnu Hayee
Innhe Kya Mein Samjho Tauba
Roz Hoojathe Yeh Hain Kisse Na Kisse Pe Fida
Arre Haannn
Aaj Iss Ke Peeche Hae
Peeche Kal Uske Peeche Tauba
Kya Theekana Hain Inka Kab Hojaye Kab Lapatha
Inki Mohabat Resham Ka Jaal Hain Haee
Deewangi Bhi Inki Eak Chal Hain

Hoo Billo Raniii Kahon Tho Abhi Jaan Dedho
Hoo Billo Rani Kahon Tho Abhi Jaan Dedho
Hoo Billo Rani Kahon Tho Abhi Jaan Dedho
Billo Rani Kahon Tho Abhi Jaaan Dedhoooo

[Ishq Karke Tujse Deewana
Bethab Hua Barbaad Hua
Bhool Gaya Aapna Bhi Naam
Jab Naam Tera Isse Yaad Hua]2

Ohh Last Night Is Crazy Ohh Ohh

Lachakti Bahon Ke Iss Gulshan Mein
Pholon Jaise Iss Thaan Mein
Hon Pagal Hie Karde Iysi Khusboo Hain

Chamakthi Aankhon Ke Inn Tharoo Mein
Hooton Ke Inn Gulzarro Mein
Ohh Deewana Karde Iysa Jadoo Hain

Hon Teri Baatein Lejaye Mere Dil Kho Phirbhi
Maina Manno Inhe Hon Maina Manno
Teri Aankhein Dekhaiye Mujhko Sapna
Warna Sacha Jano Inha

Offooo
Rahon Mein Tunne Mujhe Rokha Hain
Iss Mein Koi Na Koi Dokha Hainnn

Hoo Billoo Rani Kahon Tho Abhi Jaan Dedho
Hoo Billo Rani Kahon Tho Abhi Jaan Dedho
Hoo Billo Rani Kahon Tho Abhi Jaan Dedho
Billoo Rani Kahon Tho Abhi Jaaan Dedhoooo

Ohh Last Night Is Crazy Ohh Ohh

Keh Aab Thak Duri Samaj Na Ayena
Ghoom Le Ohh Chahe Sab Duniya
Aye Hum Sa Pe Mi Na Mili Hain Tumka Kahin
Keh Billo Dhak Dhak Iye Maan Dhadkat Hain
Thanma Aye Agni Bhadkat Hain
Jab Jab Lagawat Hon Tum Dhumka Kahin

Hon Teri Niyat Hain Ghoonti
Man Hain Papi Harjayi Thu
Beyimaan Thu
Teri Chahat Mein Janu Raja Kya Hain Mujko
Bholi Nahin Jaan Tu

Haan Bheas Banayi Premi Khasa Hain
Thu Bhawra Tho Ras Kya Pyasa Hain

Hoo Billo Rani Hoo Billo Hoo Billo Hoo Billo Rani
Kahon Tho Abhi Jaan Dedho
Hoo Billo Rani Kahon Tho Abhi Jaan Dedho
Hoooo Jaan Dedho Jhee Karre Iymaan Dedho
Billo Rani Kahon Tho Abhi Jaan Dedho
Hoo Billo Rani Kahon Tho Abhi Jaan Dedho



Hall Bol (Title Song; SInger: Daler Mehndi)

Halla Bol
Aage Dhol
Karta Jha
Goal Pein Goal

[Go Go Go]3

Hum Kaun Hain
Hum Kya Hain
Duniya Kho Dikha Ye Gein
Rokhe Jho Parbat Bhi Hamein Tab Rok Paien Gein
Hey Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Bhaje Gein Dholl

Hey Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Kareinge Gein Goal

Halla Bol
Aage Dhol
Karta Jha
Goal Pein Goal

Hum Kaun Hain
Hum Kya Hain
Duniya Kho Dikha Ye Gein
Rokhe Jho Parbat Bhi Hamein Tab Rok Paien Gein
Hey Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Bhaje Gein Dholl

Hey Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Kareinge Gein Goal

Buurrrrrrr....

Koi Rokhe Chahe Baiye Se
Koi Rokhe Chahe Daiye Se
Baiye Se Daiye Se Baiye Daiye Baiye Se
Hon Hon Hon
Koi Rokhe Chahe Baiye Se
Koi Rokhe Chahe Daiye Se
Par Hum Tho Hawake Jhonke Hain
Bachkeee
Par Hum Tho Hawake Jhonke Hain
Chalte Hain Sayye Sayye Sayyy

Kheleynge Jaano Dil Se Aur Sab Ko Harraiyenge
Rokhe Jho Parbat Bhi Hamein Tab Rok Paien Gein
Hey Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Bhaje Gein Dholl

Hey Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Kareinge Gein Goal

[Go Go]4

[Hue Hue Hue Hue Hue Hue]2

Huy Huy

Jho Chale Tho Eak Thalwar Hain Hum
Jho Rukhe Tho Eak Deewar Hain Hum
[Dum Dunnak Dum Dunnak Dum Dum Duunak Dum]
Jho Chale Tho Eak Thalwar Hain Hum
Jho Rukhe Tho Eak Deewar Hain Hum
Jheetak Ne Liye Rukh Leth Hain
Jheetak Ne Liye Rukh Leth Hain
Gaiyron Kho Dethe Haar Hain Hummm
Maidan Mein Koi Hon Lekkin Hum Hi Chayein Ge
Rokhe Jho Parbat Bhi Hamein Tab Rok Paien Gein
Hey Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Bhaje Gein Dholl

Hey Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Dhana Dhan
Dhan Kareinge Gein Goal

[Go Go Go]5

Halla Bol
Aage Dhol
Karta Jha
Goal Pein Goal

[Heyyyy Yaaaa]2

Goallllllll... Goal



Hey Dude (Singer: Javed Ali)

Bandh Kafan Hum Sar Pe Chale Hain
Khake Kasam Hum Ghar Se Chale Hain
Saar Jho Uute Hain
Nahin Jhuke Gein

Dekhle Duniya
Dekhe Zamana
Bade Ga Bhari
Saamne Aana
Ham Tho Hain Ziddi
Nahin Rukhe Gein
Himat Bhi Hain
Thaqat Bhi Hain
Aur Jheet Ki Chahat Bhi Hain
Thqrao Ge Tho Mit Jao Gein
Ke Hum Log Hain Deewane

Hey Dude Dont Mess With Me
Hey Dude Dont Mess With Me
Hey Dude Dont Mess With Meee
Hey Dude Dont Mess With Me

[Hey Hey Hey Hey Hey]3
Hey Hey Hey Hey Heyyyyyyy

Jabse Thamanna Jag Gayi Hain
Dil Mein Hummare Aag Lagi Hain
Aag Yeh Humne Khud Hi Lagayi
Dihan Mein Hain Bas Eak Nishana
Kehdo Diya Hain Karke Dikhana
Aar Par Ki
Aab Hain Ladayi
Jo Thaan Badan Jo Jaan Hain
Sab Jheet Par Khurban Hain
Hum Kaun Hain
Hum Kaise Hain
Nikkle Hain Hum Nibhane

Hey Dude Dont Mess With Me
Hey Dude Dont Mess With Me
Hey Dude Dont Mess With Meee
Hey Dude Dont Mess With Me

[Hey Hey Hey Hey Hey]3
Hey Hey Hey Hey Heyyyyyyy

Aabse Humara Dil Kehta Hain
Jagwalo Kho Dikhade
Hum Jho Bhi Chahe Kar Sakte Hain
Karle Jho Hum Iradhe
Hum Aandhiyon Kho
Muthi Mein Leinge
Hum Tho Sammandaron
Par Chale Gein
Hum Yeh Kareinge
Hum Yeh Kiyye Hain
Jitne Bhi Khudse Waade

[Hey Hey Hey Hey Hey]3
Hey Hey Hey Hey Heyyyyyyy

Baand Kasam Hum Sar Pe Chale Hain
Khake Kasam Hum Ghar Se Chale Hain
Saar Jho Uute Hain
Nahin Jhuke Gein

Dekhle Duniya
Dekhe Zamana
Bade Ga Bhari
Saamne Aana
Ham Tho Hain Ziddi
Nahin Rukhe Gein
Himat Bhi Hain
Thaqat Bhi Hain
Aur Jheet Ki Chahat Bhi Hain
Thqrao Ge Tho Mit Jao Gein
Ke Hum Log Hain Deewane

Hey Dude Dont Mess With Me
Hey Dude Dont Mess With Me
Hey Dude Dont Mess With Meee
Hey Dude Dont Mess With Me

[Hey Hey Hey Hey Hey]3
Hey Hey Hey Hey Heyyyyyyy

Chak De India: A pretty interesting movie

The last movie of Shahrukh Khan before this that I knew about was 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kahna', and I did not watch it. Given that it was a Karan Johar movie, it was pretty unlikely that I would have considered the movie any different from the regular emotion drama; and even though the movie was somewhat different from his usual theme, covering the topic of marital and extra-marital relationships, I could not force myself to see it.
So it was with some trepidation that I went ahead to watch Chak De India; I had already heard that it was a good movie, but most people who had seen it had told me that it was essentially about hockey and the patriotism inherent in the country winning a major tournament, and there was the fear that it would turn out to be a movie steeped in patriotism, with players being urged to play for country and honour, and getting the feel-good feeling. It was all this to some extent, but in a vastly well scripted way, something that cheered you up. And frankly, I did not expect either Yash Raj Films or Aditya Chopra to make a movie that did not have a single decent song, or a romantic liasion, and I was proved wrong.
Chak De succeeds at many levels, it takes a person with all his reasons for doing what he is doing and does not try to air-brush those reasons or cloak them under a sentimental way. It also tries to show the reality of the game and conditions, when compared against the immense money involved in something called cricket that is a national obsession. It also shows our current administrators of sports and how they are singularly unfit to run something like this, it is only when you get dedicated people to run things that you get results.
Chak De is the story of the former ace of the Indian men's team, Kabir Khan (based on an actual player, Mir Ranjan Negi), who fluffs the victory chance in the dying moments and gets stampeded out of public acclaim by the combined might of the media looking for a sensational story (how his post-game handshake with the Pakistani team was actually a proof of his sell-out) and fans willing to believe the worst from their players who lost. It comes to a stage where he is labelled a traitor and his neighbors also do not believe him even when he leaves his house.
Cut to 7 years later, the World Cup for Women's hockey is in 3 months, and the team does not have a coach, with the association not being very concerned. It is one concerned person who forces them to consider Kabir Khan (now with a beard) as the coach, but most people consider it an attempt by him to re-build his reputation (and interestingly enough, this notion is never convincingly denied by him in the movie).
So Shahrukh Khan is now the new coach of the Indian Women's Hockey team, all ready to try and take a team made up of people who have never played together as a team and who come with their own agendas, biases, and airs. For example, there is the most experienced player in the team, Bindiya Naik, who considers herself as knowing everything and superior to most, and gets shocked when the coach treats her like anybody else.
They all come in with their own stories, with family members who are uncomfortable with them doing this playing, but who have grudgingly agreed to let them attend this camp. There is a nice scene (it could have been very cheesy) where Shahrukh Khan makes them repeat their introduction till they have introduced themselves as playing for India and not their respective states. How he inculcates in them a fighting spirit, a camaraderie, and a toughness forms a major section of the movie. He succeeds to some extent, although there comes a stage when they all revolt against him, and he resigns. The scene to resolve that issue where they fight as one against some teasing boys is slightly corny, but the message was conveyed.
And then how he overcomes the various challenges, including a time when the association does not want to send them. He proposes a match between the Men's and the Women's team, where they get riled up over some comments made about their abilities. However, I consider it a master-piece where they lose the match, but are saved by the appreciation of the men's team. Finally, they are on the way, and are roundly thrashed by Australia in the 1st match, 7-0. They learn, including the Punjabi girl learning to control her temper, and eventually start making their way up and winning hearts and fans. Finally they win, which you knew was going to happen, but the skill they show and the final dropping of egos in order to go this was excellent.
The movie was overall very good, challenged by my spouse to point out some bad points, I could not mention many excellent that the film was to some extent a case of pop patriotism, and it seems a bit unrealistic to show a raw team coming together to become a world champion in 3 months. Overall, the girls impress, Shahrukh impresses, and the few other characters also fairly impress. One interesting titbit is that I don't think that Shahrukhs has ever played a Muslim in a movie before (I may be wrong, but this is my impression).

These are the girls:

Anaitha Nair, 21
Bangalore
On field: Aliya Bose
Position: Right Out
Jersey No. 7

Tania Abrol,21
Abohar, Punjab
On field: Balbir Kaur
Position: Full back
Jersey No. 3

Shubhi Mehta, 28
Delhi
On field: Gunjan Lakhani
Position: Right HalfM
Jersey No. 4

Sagarika Ghatge, 20
Mumbai
On field: Preeti Sabarwal
Position:Centre forward
Jersey No. 9

Arya Menon, 19
Bangalore
On field: Gul Iqbal
Position: Left
Jersey No. 10

Seema Azmi, 30
Azamgarh, UP
On field: Rani Dispotta
Position: Right Defender
Jersey No. 2

Vidya Malvade, 32
Mumbai
On field: Vidya Sharma
Position: Goalie and Captain
Jersey No. 18

Kimberly Miranda, 21
Mumbai
On field: Rachna Prasad
Position: Utility Player (one who can play any position)
Jersey No. 14

Nichola Sequeira, 17
Mumbai
On field: Nichola
Position: Bench and also a Utility player
Jersey No. 12

Raynia Mascarenhas, 21
Mumbai
Played: Raynia
Position: Utility player
Jersey No.16

Nisha Nair, 20
Mumbai
On field: Soi Moi
Position: Defence
Jersey No. 17

Lalhming Kimi, 20
Mizoram
On field: Mary
Position: Defender

Sandia Furtado, 20
Mumbai
On Field: Nethra Reddy
Position: Left Out
Jersey No. 11

Chonchon Zimik, 24
Manipur
On field: Molly
Position: Left Half (back)
Jersey No. 6

Chitrashi Rawat, 17
Dehra Dun
On field: Komal Chautala
Position: Right In
Jersey No. 8

Shilpa Shukla, 26
Hazipur
On field: Bindiya Naik
Position: Centre Half
Jersey No. 5

Quite a few of these are actual hockey players, so this was a nice touch.