Anushka Sharma launches next production, Chakda ‘Xpress, which will stream on Netflix

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Netflix India has announced its next film, Chakda ‘Xpress. The film, starring Anushka Sharma, is being produced by her home banner Clean Slate Filmz and directed by Prosit Roy, and is inspired by the incredible story of Jhulan Goswami.

The film traces the glorious journey of one of the fastest female pacers in the history of world cricket, Jhulan Goswami, as she moves up the ladder despite the countless hindrances posed by misogynistic politics to fulfill her only dream—to play cricket.

Karnesh Ssharma produces the film. Anushka is cast in the title-role and says, “It is a really special film because it is essentially a story of tremendous sacrifice. Chakda ‘Xpress is inspired by the life and times of former Indian captain Jhulan Goswami, and it will be an eye-opener into the world of women’s cricket. At a time when Jhulan decided to become a cricketer and make her country proud on the global stage, it was very tough for women to even think of playing the sport. This film is a dramatic retelling of several instances that shaped her life and also women’s cricket.”

She goes on, “From support systems to facilities to having a stable income from playing the game, to having even a future in cricket – very little propelled women of India to take up cricket as a profession. Jhulan had a fighting and extremely uncertain cricketing career and she stayed motivated to make her country proud. She strived to change the stereotype that women cannot make a career out of playing cricket in India, so that the next generation of girls could have a better playing field. Her life is a living testimony that passion and perseverance triumphs over any or all adversities. There is still a lot of work to be done and we have to empower them with the best so that the sport can flourish for women in India.”

And Sharma concludes, “We should all salute Jhulan and her teammates for revolutionizing women’s cricket in India. It is their hard work, passion and undefeated mission to bring attention to women’s cricket that has turned things around for generations to come.  As a woman, I was proud to hear Jhulan’s story and it is an honor for me to try and bring her to life for audiences and cricket lovers. As a cricketing nation, we have to give our women cricketers their due. Jhulan’s story is truly an underdog story in the history of cricket in India and the film is our celebration of her spirit.”

Says Jhulan Goswami, “When you represent India, that’s all that should be kept in mind. Tum desh ke liye khel rahe ho, apne liye nahin (you are fighting for the nation, not for yourself). Your team is of 11 women playing to place Team India’s name in history. It doesn’t matter if they said ladkiyan cricket nahin khel sakti (girls cannot play cricket). 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.”

Adds the ace cricketer, “It’s this level of unblinking focus that lends itself to success. That, and remembering that you’re here not in spite of everything that went wrong, but because of everything that went right. It’s about knowing one’s place in the world and having one’s feet firmly on the ground. You deserve to be here. And this is only the beginning. Team India is not just the roaring sound of 1.3 billion voices cheering and praying. Now is the time to watch the women shine. It’s our time and we’re here to play. Today, you see us. Tomorrow, you’ll remember our names. Chakda ‘Xpress is now filming. Meet you on the field.”

Clean Slate Filmz is a production house established by Anushka Sharma and brother Karnesh Ssharma in 2013 with the goal of creating relevant, entertaining and clutter-breaking content for audiences across platforms. It has to its credit film projects such as NH10, Phillauri, Pari and and more recently, the Amazon Original Paatal Lok and the Netflix film, Bulbbul. This is their second collaboration with the OTT platform.

Anushka is the first actress to turn producer in less than five years after her acting debut with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008).

Here are eight other prominent actresses who turned producers:

Deepika Padukone with Chhapaak (2020), 13 years after her debut in Om Shanti Om

Hema Malini with Dil Aashna Hai (1992), 23 years after Sapnon Ka Saudagar

Juhi Chawla with Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000), 14 years after Sultanat

Manisha Koirala with Paisa Vasool (2004), 13 years after Saudagar

Pooja Bhatt with Tamanna (1997), 6 years after Daddy.

Preity Zinta with Ishqk In Paris (2013), 15 years after her debut in Dil Se…

Raveena Tandon with Stumped! (2002), 11 years after her debut with Patthar Ke Phool

Shilpa Shetty in Dishkiyaoon (2014), 11 years after Baazigar