The long-delayed biopic Chakda Xpress, starring Anushka Sharma as legendary cricketer Jhulan Goswami, may finally be heading for a release. The film, which has been shelved for years due to a reported fallout between the production house, Clean Slate Filmz, and streaming giant Netflix, is now the subject of renewed internal discussions. According to a Mid-Day report, the project’s future is looking brighter, thanks to a major real-world sporting event that has reignited interest in women’s cricket in India.
The catalyst for this potential revival is the Indian women’s cricket team’s historic victory, where they clinched their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup trophy on November 2. This monumental win has shifted the spotlight back onto the stories of pioneering female cricketers, making the Jhulan Goswami biopic more relevant and anticipated than ever. The triumph has reportedly prompted the Chakda Xpress team to actively re-engage with Netflix, urging the platform to reconsider the film so that this important story can “see the light of day.”
Originally, the project was stalled after the production reportedly went over budget, and streaming executives were unsatisfied with its creative direction. However, insiders maintain that it is “still a solid film.” In the wake of the World Cup win, sources confirm that “internal discussions at the streamer have started,” with a “final pass” on the film’s viability expected this very month. This review will determine if the project can be salvaged with additional work for a potential OTT platform release.
If the negotiations prove successful and the film is greenlit for release, Chakda Xpress would mark a significant moment, serving as Anushka Sharma’s major acting comeback after a seven-year hiatus. For now, the streaming service and the filmmakers are poised to make a final decision, potentially allowing this long-awaited sports biopic to finally reach a global audience on a premier digital platform.