DEHRADUN, Oct. 14: Things really changed for Meer Ranjan Negi, a former hockey goalkeeper, when Chak De India, a celluloid venture inspired by his real life, happened. But Negi seems disillusioned with the makers of the movie who have shown no interest in promoting the National game. The success of Chak De India, in which none other than Shah Rukh Khan depicted his role, fetched Negi the status of a celebrity. And now in real life Negi has to deal with a tight schedule as an actor, not as a hockey coach. But still his first love remains to be hockey.
During his visit to the capital Negi said, he had approached Khan and the Yash Raj production house for help many times, but none showed any interest.
“I wanted their help in organising a show match in Chandigarh for fund raising to promote hockey ,” he said. In his bid to promote hockey in the country where it originated, Negi, has formed a hockey foundation in the memory of his deceased son. But unfortunately the potboiler that churned a lot of money for its makers, did little for the one on whom it was made. “For Kabir Khan in Chak De.. it were mere seven years , however I had spent 16 crucial years of my life to prove my innocence,” quipped Negi , who arrived here to shoot a Garhwali Album for famous hill grade singer Narendra Singh Negi. “In reality I have suffered many times more than Kabir in Chak De..,” he said recalling the Asian games hockey final match, after loosing which he was demeaned every where from clubs to restaurants. Negi had opened up his heart in the book, From Gloom to Glory.
It was him who was held responsible for the defeat in the Asian Cup final 1982. Pakistan won by 7-2. Facing charges of match fixing, Negi fought back and showed his worth when he got an opportunity of becoming the goalkeeper coach of the Indian Men’s hockey team which won the gold medal in the Asian games of 1998. He than coached the Indian Women’s hockey team which won a Common Wealth gold in 2002 and Afro-Asian cup in 2003-04. “It was a journey of 16 years pain and suffering for me which ended up by this success ,” said Negi.
Negi is also working in a Bollywood movie Mumbai Chakachak and have many offers in store. He is also working for promotion of hockey through a foundation which he formed after loosing his young son. “We now plan to spend about 10-12 lakh rupees in each state unit of the foundation. Negi is now seeking help from Sunil Shetty to organise a fund raiser match for promotion of hockey.