“Chakda ‘Xpress” Anushka Sharma Upcoming Movie 2024
Top Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma is making a comeback after taking a break for motherhood, stepping into the lead role in “Chakda Xpress,” a Netflix movie inspired by the remarkable life of one of women cricket’s greatest players, Jhulan Goswami.
Goswami, a fast bowler, holds the world record for the highest number of wickets in an international career spanning from 2002 to 2021. The film delves into her inspiring journey as she rises through the ranks despite facing obstacles created by misogynistic politics to pursue her dream of representing India in cricket. Goswami not only achieved her goal but also captained the Indian women’s national cricket team, becoming a beacon of inspiration for aspiring cricketers across the nation.
“Chakda Xpress” will be filmed in India and the U.K. and is being produced by Sharma and Karnesh Ssharma’s Clean Slate Filmz, known for their works such as “NH10” and “Pari.” Prosit Roy, known for his work on the Amazon series “Paatal Lok” and the movie “Pari,” will direct the film.
Sharma expressed her excitement about the project, stating, “It is a truly special film because it narrates a story of immense sacrifice. ‘Chakda Xpress’ draws inspiration from the life and experiences of former Indian captain Jhulan Goswami, shedding light on the world of women’s cricket. At a time when Jhulan decided to pursue cricket and bring glory to her country on the global stage, it was exceedingly challenging for women to even contemplate playing the sport. This film retells various moments that shaped her life and the landscape of women’s cricket.”
“From lacking support systems and facilities to struggling for a stable income from the sport, women in India faced numerous hurdles in pursuing cricket as a profession,” Sharma added. “Jhulan had to navigate a tumultuous and uncertain cricketing career but remained determined to make her nation proud. She aimed to challenge the stereotype that women couldn’t forge a career in cricket in India, paving the way for future generations of girls to have better opportunities in the sport.”
Goswami has received numerous accolades, including the International Cricket Council Player of the Year award in 2007 and the M.A. Chidambaram trophy for Best Women’s Cricketer in 2011. In 2018, India issued a postage stamp in her honor.
Speaking about the film, Goswami said, “Now is the time for women to shine. We are here to play, and our time has come. Today, you see us; tomorrow, you will remember our names. Join us as we cheer for Team India and bring this story to life. ‘Chakda Xpress’ is currently in production. See you on the field.”
“Chakda Xpress” will mark Clean Slate Filmz’s second collaboration with Netflix after the success of “Bulbbul” (2020).
Karnesh Ssharma of Clean Slate Filmz commented, “In India, cricket is not just a sport; it’s an emotion. We at Clean Slate Filmz are committed to bringing compelling stories to the audience, and ‘Chakda Xpress’ is one such unique tale. After the positive reception of ‘Bulbbul’ and its global reach, I am excited to partner with Netflix again for a story that resonates with audiences worldwide.”
Pratiksha Rao, director of films and licensing at Netflix India, said, “The journey of Jhulan Goswami, though deeply inspiring, also reveals the numerous challenges she faced, and ‘Chakda Xpress’ showcases her accomplishments despite those obstacles.”
Meanwhile, “83,” a film recounting the Indian men’s cricket team’s victory at the 1983 World Cup, is currently playing in theaters.
Anushka Sharma is married to Virat Kohli, the captain of the Indian men’s test cricket team.
Anushka Sharma Say’s
It’s a truly special film because it delves into a tale of immense sacrifice. “Chakda Xpress” draws inspiration from the life and experiences of former Indian captain Jhulan Goswami, offering a revealing insight into the realm of women’s cricket. In an era where Jhulan dared to pursue cricket and elevate her nation’s pride on the global platform, it was an arduous journey for women to even contemplate entering the sport. This film narrates the gripping narrative of numerous events that moulded her life and the landscape of women’s cricket.
From lacking support systems and adequate facilities to struggling for a stable income through cricket, and even the uncertainty of a future in the sport, myriad challenges hindered Indian women from embracing cricket as a profession. Jhulan confronted a tumultuous and unpredictable cricketing career, yet she remained driven to bring glory to her country.
Her determination aimed to shatter the stereotype that women couldn’t carve a career in cricket in India, paving the way for future generations of aspiring female cricketers. Her life stands as a testament to the triumph of passion and perseverance over adversity, and “Chakda Xpress” offers an authentic portrayal of the less glamorous reality of women’s cricket during that period. While significant strides have been made, there remains much work ahead to empower women and foster the growth of cricket for women in India.
We owe a salute to Jhulan and her teammates for revolutionising women’s cricket in India. It’s their unwavering dedication, fervour, and relentless pursuit to shine a spotlight on women’s cricket that has brought about a transformative shift for future generations. As a woman, I felt a profound sense of pride upon hearing Jhulan’s story, and it’s a privilege for me to help bring her journey to audiences and cricket enthusiasts alike. As a cricketing nation, it’s imperative that we accord our women cricketers the recognition they deserve. Jhulan’s narrative is truly an underdog tale in the annals of Indian cricket history, and the film serves as our homage to her indomitable spirit.
Chakda Xpress:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Chakda Xpress |
| Directed by | Prosit Roy |
| Written by | Abhishek Banerjee |
| Based on | Life of Jhulan Goswami |
| Produced by | Saurabh Malhotra |
| Karnesh Ssharma | |
| Starring | Anushka Sharma |
| Anshul Chauhan | |
| Atul Sharma | |
| Dibyendu Bhattacharya | |
| Renuka Shahane | |
| Karan Arvind Bendre | |
| Shamal Rokade | |
| Yogesh Soman | |
| Cinematography | Pratik Shah |
| Edited by | Manas Mittal |
| Production Companies | T-Series |
| Clean Slate Filmz | |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Chakda Xpress cast:
| Actor/Actress | Role |
|---|---|
| Anushka Sharma | Jhulan Goswami |
| Atul Sharma | Head of International Cricket Council |
| Ahmareen Anjum | Nita Singh |
| George Elliott | Cricket Umpire UK |
| Bharat Mistri | Cricket Spectator |
| Dave Bannister | Cricket Spectator |
| Dibyendu Bhattacharya | – |
| Diya Jandu | Cricket Spectator |
| Elizabeth Ansari | Cricket Spectator |
| Hamza Butt | Cricket Spectator |
| Haroon Rafiq | Cricket Spectator |
| Parvinder Kaur | Cricket Spectator |
| Renuka Shahane | – |
| Sammy Jonas Heaney | Cricket Steward |
| Sofia Price | Cricket Spectator |
| Dax Sowrey | Cricket Umpire |
| Gareth Bottomley | Cricket Umpire |
| Richard Williams | Cricket Umpire |
| Kate Coppack | Cricket Player |
| Lizzie Williams | Cricket Player |
| Mollie Ovenden | Cricket Player |
| Zoe Sawula | Cricket Player |
| Berry Clarkson | Cricket Player |
| Ellie Toogood | Cricket Player |
| Joseph Holt | Cricket Player |
| Rina Bhudia | Cricket Player |
Anushka Sharma:
This film holds a special place because it delves into the theme of immense sacrifice. Chakda Xpress draws inspiration from the life and journey of former Indian cricket captain Jhulan Goswami, offering viewers a revealing glimpse into the realm of women’s cricket. At a juncture when Jhulan embarked on her cricketing journey to bring glory to her nation on the global stage, the landscape was unforgiving for women aspiring to play the sport. The movie serves as a dramatic narrative of pivotal moments that shaped not only her life but also the landscape of women’s cricket.
From the lack of support systems and adequate facilities to the absence of a stable income from the game and uncertainties about a future in cricket, numerous obstacles hindered Indian women from pursuing cricket as a profession. Jhulan faced an uphill battle and an extremely precarious cricketing career, yet she remained resolute in her quest to make her country proud.
She endeavoured to debunk the stereotype that women couldn’t forge careers in cricket in India, aspiring for a better future for the next generation of female players. Her life stands testament to the notion that passion and perseverance can conquer any adversity, and Chakda Xpress provides an authentic portrayal of the less-than-rosy reality of women’s cricket during that era. While strides have been made, there’s still much ground to cover, and it’s imperative to empower women with the resources they need to thrive in the sport in India.
We must salute Jhulan and her teammates for revolutionising women’s cricket in India. Their dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to shining a spotlight on women’s cricket have paved the way for future generations. As a woman, I felt immense pride in hearing Jhulan’s story, and it’s an honour for me to help bring her journey to audiences and cricket enthusiasts alike. As a cricketing nation, it’s essential that we accord our women cricketers the recognition they deserve. Jhulan’s story epitomises the underdog narrative in Indian cricket history, and the film serves as a celebration of her indomitable spirit.
Jhulan Goswami:
When you represent India, that’s all that occupies your thoughts. You’re playing for the nation, not for yourself. Eleven women unite to etch Team India’s name in history.
It matters not if they said girls can’t play cricket.
It matters not if, at times, a man’s achievements overshadow yours.
It matters not if the stadiums echo emptiness.
When you step onto the pitch to bowl, all you see is the opponent wielding the cricket bat and the stumps awaiting your precision.
It’s this unwavering focus that breeds success. And it’s about acknowledging that you’re here not in spite of the challenges but because of the triumphs. It’s about understanding one’s place in the world while standing firmly grounded.
You belong here. And this is just the beginning.
Team India isn’t just the resounding chorus of 1.3 billion voices cheering and praying.
Sometimes, it’s a girl from Chakda, playing cricket with her team, trembling yet united, shouting for each other, rising collectively when the stumps finally fall.
Now is the time for women to shine. It’s our moment, and we’re here to play.
Today, you see us.
Tomorrow, you’ll remember our names.
Join us as we root for Team India and unveil this narrative. Chakda Xpress is underway. See you on the field.
Pratiksha Rao, Director, Films and Licensing, Netflix India:
Jhulan Goswami’s journey, while profoundly inspiring, also unveils the staggering odds she faced. Chakda Xpress chronicles her triumphs despite these challenges. We are deeply honoured and proud to bring this tale of an unlikely champion and her impact on Indian cricket to Netflix. Teaming up with Clean Slate Filmz and Anushka Sharma, whose heartfelt performances have resonated with audiences, is a privilege.
Karnesh Ssharma, Producer, Chakda Xpress / Clean Slate Filmz:
In India, cricket transcends sport; it’s an emotion. At Clean Slate Filmz, we are committed to bringing forth compelling stories, and Chakda Xpress is a testament to that dedication. Inspired by Jhulan Goswami’s pioneering role in Indian women’s cricket, this narrative resonates across 190 countries, thanks to our collaboration with Netflix. After the positive reception of Bulbbul and its global reach, partnering with Netflix again feels gratifying, as this story has the potential to captivate audiences worldwide.