Model-actress Vidya Malavde, who plays the goalkeeper-captain of the Hockey team, says ''It was a fantastic experience working with SRK and the Yashraj banner. We all had a fabulous time and I guess it shows in the film as well.
Shah Rukh Khan is a magnificent actor and human being and he really went out his way to remove our nervousness and make us feel comfortable on the sets. '' She said she was overwhelmed at the response the film has generated and expressed confidence that she would do better work in future.
''We really had a hard training schedule to learn playing hockey and after that I have realised that hockey players work so hard, yet are given such little recognition. It is a very tough sport with heavy uniforms and hard hitting equipment. I hope the film will inspire people to give our hockey team all the encouragement they need."
Sagarika Ghatge, who plays Preeti Sabrawal, said she was missing hockey practice terribly and so she went ahead and got herself a hockey stick to remind her of the fitness trend that her life had got used to during the shoot.
''It was like back to college. Early morning rising, warm up, hockey, right food and early to bed, early to rise routine. I miss it a lot, '' says the actress, who feels that Chak De has changed her life forever, setting her life in the right direction. ''
''The discipline, training and lifestyle set for us will help each of us go a long way in not just this industry but in life, '' says Sagarika, a national athlete who is back to training post Chak De.