New Goal

After working as a technical advisor on the sets of Shimit Amin’s Chak De India in 2007,former Indian hockey goalkeeper and coach Mir Ranjan Negi has now made his debut in Bollywood. The 50-year-old plays a bit role as the Chief of the Indian Army in director Rahul Dholakia’s just released film Lamhaa,which deals with insurgency in Kashmir. “The role might not amount to much,but it is crucial to the film since it is at the very beginning. This film was offered to me by Bunty Walia (the producer),” says Mumbai-based Negi,who completed the shooting schedule six months ago at a rented Mumbai bungalow.

Contrary to expectations,Negi says emoting in front of the camera was not difficult. “It is never too late to begin acting. If you have your diction in place then it is easier,” he says.

After Chak De India,Negi opened a foundation which teaches life skills to underprivileged children through hockey. He has also participated in the reality show,Jhalak Dikhla Ja. “I associate myself with the glamour industry so that hockey gets a boost,” says Negi,who is awaiting the release of Sanjay Jha’s Mumbai Chakachak,where he is cast as the city’s municipal commissioner.