Annu Kapoor’s comments about ‘twisted facts’ in Chak De! India divide internet, he said ‘Musalman ko accha character banana hai...’

Veteran actor Annu Kapoor has found himself embroiled in controversy after he shared his views about Shah Rukh Khan-starrer popular film Chak De! India. In a recent interview, the actor stated that the film was originally based on the life of coach Ranjan Negi but the name of the character was changed to Kabir Khan in a bid to ‘show Muslims as heroes’. His comments about 'twisted facts' in the film have gone viral on social media, leaving netizens divided.

Annu Kapoor on Chak De! India

Speaking to Smita Prakash in a podcast, Annu Kapoor commented on the popular Bollywood film Chak De! India and stated that the film is originally based on a coach Ranjan Negi. He further claimed that ‘to depict Muslims as heroes’, the main character was portrayed as a Muslim man named Kabir Khan (the role was played by Shah Rukh Khan).

Annu said, “Chak De! India ka jo main character hai wo asal mein hamare bahot bade coach Shri Negi sahab ki life  ke upar hain lekin India ke andar hai na ki Musalman ko accha character banana hai or pandit ka mazak udana hai. Toh wo purani dehati hai jisse Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb ke naam par ek lable laga diya jata hai.”

Social media reacts to Annu Kapoor’s remarks

The video clip has gone viral online, leaving netizens divided with one section defending Annu, while others speaking against his claims. One X user shared the video clip and wrote, “Annu Kapoor debunking the myth called “Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb” in a brutally honest manner.” Another wrote, "Muslims have to be shown in good light and Pandits have to be made fun of in the name of Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb ~ Annu Kapoor openly exposed the hypocrisy of Bollywood.”

Debunking Annu’s claims, one user wrote, “Chak de India script was finished 1yr before Mir Ranjan Negi joined to work with the film after 2002 women's hockey winner coach M K Kaushik ji recommended him to help in film. Jaideep Sahni the writer and Negi ji confirmed this at various places that it's not based on him.”

Chak De! India

Helmed by Shimit Amin, Chak De! India stars Shah Rukh Khan, Sagarika Ghatge, Vidya Malvade, and Chitrashi Rawat, among others. Released in 2007, the film around a former hockey player named Kabir Khan who was accused of betraying the country after India a lost match to Pakistan. He later trains the Indian Women's Hockey team for the World Championship.