The 2007 film Chak De India, directed by Shimit Amin, became a major success, contrary to initial expectations. The trailer was not well-received, but the movie found its audience. Salman Khan was originally chosen to play the role of coach Kabir Khan. Various reasons are given for Salman Khan’s absence from the film. One theory points to financial disagreements with Producer Aditya Chopra. They later worked together in Ek Tha Tiger. Another theory suggests that Salman Khan desired script changes that the director, Shimit Amin, refused to make. Ultimately, Shah Rukh Khan took the role and brought his prior hockey experience to the project. The film’s initial performance was modest, but it gained popularity, becoming the second-highest-grossing film of 2007. Shah Rukh Khan shared in an interview that he played hockey in college. He also spoke about working with Australian female hockey players during the movie.
