Yash Raj Films’ hit Chak De! India, a gritty tale about an Indian women’s hockey team, has bagged the Billie Awards in the US, named after legendary tennis player Billie Jean King. The award honours media excellence in the portrayal of girls and women in sports and physical activity and is given in four categoiries – breakthrough and innovation, entertainment, journalism and outstanding journalist.
The film was declared the best in the entertainment category. “The film continues to pay back the faith we had reposed in it even when conventional wisdom would have dictated otherwise. To win accolades like this from around the world, especially form places where depictions of women’s sport has had a long and established tradition is heartening”, said Yash Chopra, Chairman, Yash Raj Films. The award function was held in California. Thirty-five years ago, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome in the notorious Battle of the Sexes.
Shimit Amin (director of the film), who picked up the award on behalf of Yash Raj Films, said, “The reaction to the movie was simply fantastic. You would not believe that this was a foreign audience comprising professional writers, critics and industry professionals for the most part, the way they reacted.”
The ceremony was attended by sporting greats like Julie Foudy (soccer), Michelle Kwan (figure skating), Rosie Casals (Tennis), Tony Gonzalez (football), Tracey Austin (tennis) and many others.