Mir Ranjan Negi rues the fact that neither the film Chak De nor its producers could give hockey the momentum it deserves
From a distance Mir Ranjan Negi looks every bit the sportsman that he was. But in conversation one realises what might be the bigger differentiator between then and now, is the pain and loss he has been through that is interspersed with words of wisdom.
Ex-hockey coach Negi, the inspiration behind the SRK starrer Chak De, spent hours giving inputs about how to perfect the hockey game on celluloid. But, he reveals, “Yash Raj did not thank or help me much. I deserve more than what I got post the film,” he says quietly. “SRK is very down-to-earth. We meet at times. But the producers who mentioned everyone (then), didnt even look back at me. If that had happened, it could have brought a much-needed recognition to hockey.”
But Negi is about to fill that void with his autobiography From Gloom to Glory (Popular Prakashan). Under the new mantle of an author, he hopes to inspire others. “Its a time of truth for me. I want to tell people that in the game of life there are no egos. India has a terrific talent of players. After all India is hockey and hockey is India. Its time something is done to make ours a medal winning nation.”
As a start, the proceeds of his book are to go to the Abhi Foundation for hockey, in memory of his 19-year-old son Abhi whom he lost in a motorcycle accident. “I believe someone up there is scripting the best for me. First there was sadness over my sons death, then Chak De became a hit and then came the dance show. I believe hes watching his father from above and feeling proud.” Negi also confesses that his father, who had been an atheist all his life, told him recently that he believed there was a God. “I told him I always knew it,” he says.