By Subhash K. Jha, IANS

In what seems like a tongue-in-cheek homage to the spirit of sportsmanship, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has been cast as the coach of a girls' hockey team in a film by "Ab Tak Chhappan" fame director Shimit Amin.

We have seen films about cricket and football, so a film on hockey comes as no surprise. In fact, Vivek Agnihotri is currently scripting a film on football.

Amin is seriously enthused about the film.

"It's a dying art form. While we continue to go into ecstasy over cricket we hardly seem to realise that hockey is a true-blue Indian game and we need to give it the respect it deserves," he told IANS.

The reticent moviemaker admits he doesn't play any sport.

"But I watch a lot of them. I've never played any sport. And I knew nothing about hockey until I researched for my film. I feel a detachment from the subject always provides added insights into the film. If you look at Hollywood they invite directors from the outside to make films about their themes and culture.

"Sam Mendes, who made the very American 'American Beauty' is British. Likewise, when I came to India from the US to make 'Ab Tak Chhappan' for Ram Gopal Varma, I knew as much about the workings of the Indian police force and 'encounter' killings as I did about hockey. The challenge to me is making a film that allows me to go into unexplored territory."

The director has cast girls as hockey players in the team.

"The girls have to be sporty and swift hockey players. It isn't easy. The game is no longer that popular. It requires physically fit players. And it looks like a struggle ahead to get girl players in place before we go into production."

Jaideep Sahni has scripted this very unusual film.

"This is a very exciting time to be a film director in Hindi cinema. Last year we had several films that broke the mould. Once in a while something comes along to push the envelope. After 'Ab Tak Chhappan' I wanted to make a film that was completely Indian in spirit."

Amin is all praise for his producers.

"I'm so glad I came to Yash Raj Films for my second film. After Ram Gopal Varma, I needed a producer who would provide me with complete creative freedom. I'm not the least surprised if I withdraw into my own work-shell and not react to such stories. I'd rather be seen than heard."

The director says he loves the portrayal of families in films.

"I love the idea of families staying together, interacting through crisis and drama. In fact, the film is also about family ties."