Chak De! India: SRK’s iconic lines that continue to inspire fans

After a long wait of 33 years in the film industry, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has finally been honoured with a National Film Award. Known as the “King of Bollywood,” SRK is one of the most loved actors in Indian cinema. His award is for his powerful performance in the 2023 action drama Jawan, but many fans still remember his unforgettable role in Chak De! India.

Released in 2007, Chak De! India is one of Shah Rukh’s most respected and inspirational films. He played Kabir Khan, a former hockey player who becomes the coach of the Indian women’s national hockey team. The film is about second chances, teamwork, and believing in yourself—no matter what others say.

Even after many years, the film and its strong dialogues continue to inspire people. Let’s take a look at the most powerful lines from the movie that still give fans goosebumps.

Why Chak De! India and SRK’s role still inspire fans

In Chak De! India, Shah Rukh Khan plays a coach who was once accused of betraying his country. To regain his lost honour, he takes on the challenging job of training the Indian women’s hockey team. The girls come from different states, cultures, and backgrounds. At first, they fight among themselves and don’t play as a team.

Kabir Khan teaches them to play not just as a group of individuals, but as one team, one country—India. His speeches are emotional, powerful, and filled with life lessons about unity, respect, and hard work.

Many of his lines from the film have become iconic. Here are 7 dialogues that continue to touch hearts:

1. “Mujhe states ke naam na sunayi dete hain na dikhayi dete hain, sirf ek mulk ka naam sunayi deta hai—India.”
   (I don’t hear or see the names of states. I only hear the name of one country—India.)
   This line shows how Kabir Khan wants the team to forget their state identities and focus on being Indians first.

2. “Is team ko sirf wo players chahiye jo pehle India ke liye khel rahe ho, fir apni team ke liye.”
   (This team needs players who play first for India, then for their teammates.)
   A reminder that selfless teamwork is key to winning.

3. “Har team mein sirf ek hi gunda ho sakta hai, aur is team ka gunda main hoon.”
   (Every team can have only one bully, and in this team, I’m that bully.)
   Said with authority and a bit of humour, this line shows Kabir’s tough love approach.

4. “Peeche se nahi, mardo ki tarah aage se lado. Humari hockey mein chakke nahi hote.”
   (Don’t fight from behind, fight like men from the front. In our hockey, there are no sixes.)
   A witty line that encourages facing challenges head-on.

5. “Tumhara match is mulk ke un sab mardon se hai jo sochte hain ki ladkiyaan kuch nahi kar sakti.”
   (Your real match is against every man in this country who thinks girls can’t do anything.)
   This is one of the most feminist lines in the movie. It tells the women that they are fighting against old thinking, not just another team.

6. “Ek baar India aise hi ek final hari thi. Us haar ka bojh bhari hai.”
   (India lost a final like this once. The burden of that loss is heavy.)
   A deep line about regret and how losing once can affect a person’s entire life.

7. “Sattar minute. Sattar minute hain tumhare paas…”
   (Seventy minutes. You have seventy minutes…)
   This is the most famous dialogue in the film. In it, Kabir tells the girls that the next 70 minutes of their life are the most important. Whether they win or lose, they must give it everything they have. Because once those 70 minutes are over, no one can take them back.

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Shah Rukh Khan’s legacy and Chak De!’s place in Indian cinema

Shah Rukh Khan has played many roles—from romantic heroes to action stars. But Chak De! India stands out as one of his best performances. It is a rare sports film that moved people emotionally and taught valuable lessons about gender equality, national pride, and teamwork.

The film was a major hit and won many awards. It also inspired a new generation to take sports seriously, especially women’s sports in India. The Indian women's hockey team even credited the film for helping change how people viewed them.

Now, with Shah Rukh Khan finally receiving his National Award for another great role in Jawan, it’s the perfect time to remember Chak De! India. His role as Kabir Khan was not just a character—it became a symbol of strength, discipline, and never giving up.

Whether you're watching the movie for the first time or the tenth, these dialogues still hit hard. And SRK’s powerful voice and expressions make them even more special. With or without awards, his work in Chak De! India will always remain iconic.