National football icon and Bengaluru FC star Sunil Chettri is considered one of the greatest players in the history of sport in India. However, as a child, notwithstanding his natural talent, Chettri was, by self-admission, “mischievous, naughty and bad.”
During an interview with The Lallantop, the footballer spoke at length about his childhood, among other things. A video clip of Chettri’s recollections, specifically about getting beaten by his mother, has now surfaced on social media.
The 40-year-old, sitting across from the platform’s founding editor, Saurabh Dwivedi, was asked a peculiar question: “Which objects were used in your Pitaai?”
Right away, Chhetri said his worst experience was with the pipe, explaining how he minimised hurt.
“Belt was the second-worst, but I don’t know if you have ever been beaten with a pipe,” he said.
“So, the thing with the pipe is, it does a whiplash and gives you bruises. And the best part about pipes and belts, if something like this is still happening, you must stay close to your Mom’s body. There should be no gap.
“It’s hard to hit from proximity. [But] if you're far away, and the belt hits you, you'll remember it for at least a week.”
As for projectiles like hangers and rolling pins (the classic Indian belan), Chhetri says staying far away from them helps, adding that one can catch them too.
“If you get slapped, just take it—it's a mother's love,” he joked. “But, if it’s a belt instead of a slap, then it’s like a blessing from mom.”
Chhetri also clarified that he didn’t mean to vilify his Mom. Instead, the reason she beat him had more to do with how “difficult” he was as a child.
The footballer's tips to avoid hurt had a mixed reception on X, formerly Twitter, where a user described Chhetri as being a “PhD”on the issue. Some, calling it “abuse”, pointed out the need to sensitise and start a conversation about traumatic upbringing.
Sunil Chhetri retired from international football in May this year. But, he continues to be a revered figure on the franchise level, having becoming the all-time top goal-scorer at the Indian Super League (ISL), with 64 goals.