Yes, I am back again. Sucked into the whirlpool of Corporate life, I didn’t have enough time to put my thoughts together. I recently watched a couple of films - “Saawariya” and “Chakde”. The first film was miserable. if Sanjay leela Bansali cliams that its an adaptation of a Russian short novel; then I am sorry to say that the film is nowhere close to the original. Russian writers have a strong sense of tragedy and its is pretty difficult to translate that into visual media. Even the best of directors have failed to capture the spirit of Anna Karenina on to the celluloid film, despite their best efforts.. I watched this adaptation of Sanjay with closed eyes. I was waiting for the film to get over .If not for my niece, I would have walked away from the cinema hall in half an hour. Having watched “Black” - a truly wonderful film, “Saawariya” is show stopper. Raj kapoor would have turned in disgust on the outcome of the film. I still have hope in Sanjay’s work. the last one may be an aberration from him but I am looking forward to better dreams from him.

On the other hand, ” Chak De” is a marvellous film. I have never been a great fan of Shah Rukh Khan. But the film smacked of seriousness and a sense of purpose. Choosing Hockey as game is a great idea;And especially Female Hockey. It had the right recipe for success. It was inspiring and entertaining to see the evolution of a disparate team cohesing into one unit and the dynamics behind it. The role of a an expert and his commitment and passion towards his job was awe inspiring to say the least.
Leading a team is not easy. To be tough when needed and to throw one’s arm over the other’s shoulder is a difficult choice to make.
Buts thats what great leader’s are made of. The art of management lies not in the MBA’s that one has acquired, but in the capacity to see things as they are. Their is no science to it. Its an art and can never be replicated across organizations. Each team has its own dynamics. Its upto the manager to tap it. When to play the right person, When not to is a decision that comes not from formal training but a deep down instict that “knows” what is right at this moment and what is wrong. There may be hurdles along the way but a true leader recognizes them and finds way to surmount them.

Watching Shah Rukh play the role of a coach who has a point to prove and his way of grooming the team is a revelation of sorts. Chak De inspires one to do something. The title song categorically states that the time has come to do something. Thats the Mantra for today. Lets not languish in apathy. Lets get into action. Right or wrong, we have at least done something. Thats the litmus test of life. Chak De !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!