Sagarika Ghatge reveals how Shah Rukh Khan calmed her nerves during 'Chak De! India' debut: 'I remember the first time when I did my lines...'

'Chak De! India' remains a landmark film for its powerful portrayal of women in sports and Shah Rukh Khan’s inspiring role as Kabir Khan. Recently, Sagarika Ghatge, who played Preeti Sabarwal, shared insights about the intense stare she gave SRK during a pivotal moment in the film.
In an interview with Hauterrfly, Sagarika discussed filming her first scene with Shah Rukh Khan. When asked about a challenging moment in the film, she revealed that it was indeed her first scene and that she felt extremely nervous. Prior to that, they had only shot a group scene where her character, Preeti Sabarwal, didn’t have much to say. Ghatge expressed that it was Shah Rukh who made her feel at ease, encouraging her to just be herself and not to worry about anything else as she delivered her lines.
"She (Preeti Sabarwal) didn’t have much to say. She was a quiet character in that way. And that was the scene that I shot, and I was so nervous, but I think it was again him who made it so comfortable. When I think of it, I remember the first time when I did my lines. All he told me was just be yourself, just be who you are, and don’t think about anything else," she recalled.
Directed by Shimit Amin, 'Chak De! India' starred Shah Rukh Khan as Kabir Khan, a former hockey captain seeking redemption by coaching the Indian women's hockey team. Inspired by real events, the film highlights themes of unity and resilience while showcasing women's empowerment in sports. Praised for its impactful storytelling, the film remains an iconic film in Indian cinema, inspiring future generations to pursue their dreams.
Apart from 'Chak De! India', Sagarika has appeared in films like 'Fox', 'Miley Naa Miley Hum', and 'Premachi Goshta'. She made her digital debut with 'BOSS: Baap of Special Services'.