Shah Rukh says Chak De India at The Oval

Dressed in a typically English black striped suit without a tie Shah Rukh looked lean, tense...
Actor Shah Rukh Khan joined Sunil Gavaskar and Harsha Bhogle in the commentator box at The Oval during India's third and final Test against England. The actor is in London to promote Chak De India , which is being premiered there on Thursday evening.

Speaking to commentators on a sports channel he said, "This is a film about sports. There had been films on sports like Lagaan and others. I always wanted to do a film on sports, particularly on field and women hockey, much neglected in cinema."

Dressed in a typically English black striped suit without a tie Shah Rukh looked lean, tense and without a make-up. When asked why he was dressed in formals, he said "Cricket is a gentleman's game and everyone who has come to watch the game is dressed in formals. Which is why I thought I will wear a nice suit and a shirt."

On a lighter note, he said, "Even I have long hair like Dhoni but I can't keep it open since I am not playing but I have made a pony tail", he said turning his back towards the camera.

"I occasionally watch Rahul and Sachin and I have grown up watching Sunny Saab", he said. On his love for cricket and Indian cricketers he said, "I love being photographed with cricketers. Three months back I asked Tendulkar to have a picture with me. Sometime ago I asked Rahul for his autograph too."

Shah Rukh was buoyant when asked about his sporting lineage, "My father used to play hockey. I too enjoyed playing hockey. I used to carry my hockey stick on my back when I went to school. I used to try and play all sports. I kept running behind the ball all the time but never used to catch it", he said reminiscing of his earlier days.

"If there would be a cricket team for forty and above I would like to be part of that team", he said displaying his passion.

Coming back to Chak De India , he said, "I play the coach in the film. I have 16 girls around me playing hockey. It has no songs but only sporting capabilities. The film has no romance and no villain."

Shah Rukh Khan was brimming with energy and high spirits when he said, "I am a true true believer, I am a sportsman by nature. Sports is a genre not much accepted in India."

Shah Rukh Khan felt embarrassing during the shooting of Chak De India because he said" The girls were not even born at the time when I started acting. They later started calling Mr. Khan and then later coach and Shah Rukh", he said. He added, "There is a single shot in the film where the team is seen to be arriving abroad and departing the shores for India. It was quite boring."

Talking about the title track of the song, he said, "The song is nice. It doesn't matter if we lose. Come on India, buck up India Koi to chal zidd fariye doobe, kariye ya mariye haye...”

How do you feel as the crowned or uncrowned king or badshah of Bollwood?, asked Harsha. "I am working for so many years in the same profession. It feels good, better than being called a failure. All you need to do is to get up and bowl right, and get the shot right. I am very happy and thrilled but I do not take it seriously when people call me badshah or king."

"I am excited about Chak De India . I don't know whether it will do well but I am excited."

Shah Rukh not just likes hockey and cricket but also follows football. Manchester United is his kids' favourite, he said.

"We played cricket whole day. I was taken to the National Stadium. Mohinder Amarnath and Kapil Dev used to bowl to me. Gurucharan Singh used to beat me with the broomstick when I used to run and pick up the ball leaving my wicket-keeping position when I was in Columbus."

Why not Hollywood? Shah Rukh said, "I would love to sell my film in the UK and America. We have a great industry. We have great sporting teams. All youngsters will have to believe that they will have to play for the country they are born in and play world class."

Gavaskar seemed to believe in Shah Rukh's philosophy and belief in capitalism and playing to win the trophy.

He underlined, "It's not about winning the silver but losing the gold. Sometimes winning is everything. But it should be, winning everytime is everything."

Provocations like the jelly bean incident would be there but Indian cricketers should never lose sight of victory because "winning is everything", advises Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan.

Shah Rukh Khan will watch the big premiere of Chak De India on Thursday evening in London but without the 16 girls.