The role of Kabir Khan, the fallen hockey star turned coach, was offered to Sunny Deol before Shah Rukh Khan. It was a character driven by quiet emotion and inner conflict not the loud heroism Sunny was known for. He let it go, and SRK delivered one of his most restrained, brilliant performances. ‘Chak De! India’ became a defining sports film, blending patriotism and empowerment with finesse.
