|
Magazine
From hockey to dance
SUCHITRA BEHAL
Some months ago he was unheard of. Today MIR RANJAN NEGI has become a household name, thanks to “Chak De” and now as one of the dancers on a popular show. Negi, who is dignified in everything he does, has touched a million hearts with his
dedication and honesty.
Talking about his foray into the dance programme, he said “One day Anitha Nair (in “Chak De”) said, ‘Coach, you can’t dance.’ That challenged the fighter in me and I accepted the offer to dance on the show. It was scary because, leave alone dance, I had never ever heard of half the names of the dances. But with a great teacher and an audience that appreciated me I was in. The show gave me another reason to live.”
Negi lost his 19-year-old son in a tragic accident. Said he, “My wife and me were shattered. The offer for ‘Chak De’ came at that point and helped me to move on. I set up a foundation in my son’s name, which my wife heads and I hope that my fame, due to the show, will help the cause of my foundation.”
Negi’s foundation hopes to take hockey to rural India and train deserving candidates.
Of SRK, who portrayed Negi in the film, he has nothing but praise. “He gave me a lot of respect.” But then that is natural; there are few human beings like Mir Ranjan Negi.
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Magazine
|
