Born on November 29, 1989, actress Chitrashi Rawat, who played the role of Komal Chautala in the 2007's Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Chak De! India is a hockey player in real life. Chitrashi was a national-level hockey player before she made her Bollywood debut. And in fact, it won't be wrong to say that her hockey skills were what bagged Chitrashi the role of the feisty Haryanvi girl in Chak De! India (All pictures/YouTube and Chitrashi Rawat's official Instagram account)
Chitrashi Rawat liked playing hockey since childhood. She started playing hockey for Uttarakhand as a left-striker when she was 17.
Wondering how Chitrashi Rawat bagged a role in Chak De! India? She was selected by the producers after giving an audition in Jabalpur.
Playing the role of Komal Chautala in Shah Rukh Khan's 'Chak De! India' changed Chitrashi Rawat's life. She earned worldwide fame as Chak De! India became a blockbuster.
Chitrashi Rawat's second Bollywood film was Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut's Fashion, helmed by Madhur Bhandarkar in 2008. She played a fashion coordinator with much ease but was not less than a cameo.
Though she had very little to do in Fashion, Chitrashi Rawat's next film was Luck in 2009 alongside Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan and Shruti Haasan, where she played one of the important characters in the film. However, the film tanked at the Box Office.
Chitrashi Rawat also has films like Yeh Dooriyan, Black Home and Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya to her credit.
Chitrashi Rawat has also dabbled in television. She hosted the show Sabse Favorite Kaun and later acted in shows such as FIR, Tu Mera Hero and Shankar Jaikishan 3 in 1.
Chitrashi Rawat played the role of Inspector Jwalamukhi Chautala in FIR. The show took a 20-year leap and after the shift, Jwalamukhi Chautala, daughter of Chandramukhi Chautala (Kavita Kaushik), played by Chitrashi, became the central character.
Chitrashi Rawat was also seen in reality TV shows like Iss Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao. She was supposed to enter the show from the first episode but her dates clashed and the actress became a wild card entrant. 'I loved the attention I got from the other contestants,' she said.
'It was fantastic. I loved every day and enjoyed my stint completely. I always wanted to do something related to adventure. I was even invited to participate in Fear Factor season one but I didn't have the time to spare, so I couldn't be a part of it. When I got a call from this show, I knew I had to say yes,' she said.
While speaking about Chak De! India, Chitrashi Rawat earlier told mid-day, 'When I look back and remember I feel the entire shooting experience is unforgettable. Each and every day is memorable and has a special place in my heart.'
Chitrashi Rawat said, 'I was very young during the shooting and never realised while shooting that this film will bring so much change in my life and create history. Everything about this film is iconic right from dialogues to every scene from the film.'
When asked about her personal interaction with Shah Rukh Khan, Chitrashi said, 'I have many moments with Shah Rukh Sir during the shooting of Chak De India but one thing I have always remembered that being the youngest from the cast I was pampered a lot.'
Chitrashi Rawat recalled her first meeting with SRK and said, 'Our first meeting with Shah Rukh Sir is still so alive in my heart. All girls were practising in the hockey ground and Shah Rukh Sir came to meet us and we girls were all looking at him. We were all mesmerised with his aura and style. That moment was a big 70 mm moment for me which is etched in my mind.'
Chitrashi Rawat also said that during the shooting of the film Shah Rukh and she was in the same team as they used to play hockey as a part of their practice.
'Shah Rukh Sir plays hockey really well. He used to play hockey during his university years and we both had a very good combination,' Chitrashi said.
Chitrashi Rawat said, 'Chak De India has made me what I am today. After the release of the film the amount of love I have got is amazing. It is also a special moment for me as my new show by Siddharth Kumar Tewary (Swastik Productions) Shankar Jai Kishan 3 in 1 just came on air. It's a double whammy for me. Siddharth Kumar Tewary is an excellent producer in every sense of the word.'
Chitrashi Rawat said if she gets an opportunity, she would love to work with Shah Rukh Khan again.
Asked if she hopes to work with Shah Rukh Khan again, Chitrashi Rawat told, 'Of course, always...If given a chance I'll just do it... It was amazing to work with him.'
'He (SRK) deserves to be where he is today... He is truly, in all sense, the King... He is witty and smells really good all the time,' Chitrashi Rawat said.
13 years after the release of Chak De! India, this is how Chitrashi Rawat looks now. Isn't her glamorous off-screen avatar a far cry from her reel side in the film?
Chitrashi Rawat clicks a selfie with her parents Tirath Singh Rawat and Yashoda Rawat, and brother.
Chitrashi Rawat with friends from the television industry - Ankita Bhargava, Jayati Bhatia and Ssumier S Pasricha.
Chitrashi Rawat clicks a black-and-white picture with her parents Tirath Singh Rawat and Yashoda Rawat, and brother.
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