The Netflix streaming service will offer the film “Chakda Xpress”, starring Anushka Sharma and inspired by the life of former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami. It follows one of the world’s top female pacers as she works her way up the ladder despite the numerous obstacles posed by misogynistic politics to fulfill her only dream: to play cricket. Produced by her family’s Clean Slate Filmz, “Chakda Xpress” is directed by Prosit Roy. Anushka Sharma said in a statement issued by the streamer on Thursday that the film is “very special” because it “reveals the incredible sacrifice of former captain Jhulan Goswami.”
Time to scream HOWZZAT cause we can’t contain the excitement to see @AnushkaSharma hitting the wickets like #JhulanGoswami in Chakda ‘Xpress, filming soon 🥳😍@OfficialCSFilmz @prosit_roy #KarneshSSharma #AbhishekBanerjee @manojmittra @saurabh0903 @rajneesh_chopra pic.twitter.com/Z0uJoh82jE
— Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) January 6, 2022
As a female cricketer, it was very difficult to even consider playing the game at a time when Jhulan decided to make her country proud on the global stage. “This is a dramatic retelling of several instances that shaped her life, and also women’s cricket,” the actor said, calling the film “an underdog story” in the history of Indian cricket. At a time when women couldn’t play cricket, Goswami also discussed the challenges she faced in her career. “It doesn’t matter if sometimes a man’s accomplishments are placed above your own. It doesn’t matter if the stadiums are empty. When you pull up on to the pitch to bowl, all you see is the opponent holding the cricket bat and the stumps you need to knock out,” said the cricketer, who hails from Chakdaha in the Nadia district of West Bengal.
She continued that 1.3 billion voices cheering and praying are not all that makes up Team India. The stumps are sometimes knocked out by one player from Chakda while her team shivers, cries, and rises together when the stumps are finally knocked out. Adding, “Chakda Xpress is now filming. Meet you on the field.” Netflix India’s Director of Films and Licensing, Pratiksha Rao, said, “We are deeply honored and proud to bring this story of an unlikely champion and her contribution to Indian cricket to Netflix; and are thrilled to partner with Clean Slate Filmz and with Anushka Sharma who has won audiences through the many unique roles she’s performed with heartfelt emotion and passion.” A pioneer in women’s cricket in India is the subject of “Chakda Xpress” says producer Karnesh Sharma.
