Why Anushka Sharma’s Cricket Biopic Chakda ’Xpress Remains Unreleased After 2 Years
<h4><strong>Anushka Sharma’s </strong><i><strong>Chakda ’Xpress</strong></i><strong>: Why the Cricket Biopic Still Hasn’t Released After Two Years</strong></h4><p>Anushka Sharma’s highly awaited return to the screen with <i>Chakda ’Xpress</i> — the biopic of Indian fast-bowling legend <strong>Jhulan Goswami</strong> — was expected to reignite her acting career and celebrate women’s cricket in India. Yet, despite being fully shot by late 2022, the film remains unreleased, caught in a long-running dispute between producers and Netflix.</p><p>Now, after India’s women’s team’s <strong>historic ICC World Cup victory in 2025</strong>, fans are questioning why the story of one of the sport’s greatest trailblazers still hasn’t reached audiences.</p><h3><strong>A Promising Start to a Delayed Dream</strong></h3><p>The idea for <i>Chakda ’Xpress</i> first took shape in <strong>2019</strong>, under Anushka’s production company <strong>Clean Slate Filmz</strong>, co-founded with her brother <strong>Karnesh Ssharma</strong>. Directed by <strong>Prosit Roy</strong> and written by <strong>Abhishek Banerjee</strong>, the biopic aimed to chronicle Jhulan Goswami’s journey from a small-town cricketer in Bengal to one of the most celebrated fast bowlers in women’s cricket.</p><p>Filming was originally set to begin in <strong>2020</strong>, but the pandemic halted all progress. During this time, Anushka announced her pregnancy, one of the producers exited, and Prosit Roy became occupied with the acclaimed web series <i>Paatal Lok</i>.</p><p>The project regained momentum in <strong>2022</strong>, when <strong>Netflix India</strong> came on board, reshaping the film for an OTT release. Despite the new partnership, no major script changes were made. Anushka reportedly underwent <strong>seven months of intensive cricket training</strong> to embody Goswami’s stance, bowling action, and on-field temperament. Principal photography took place between <strong>June and December 2022</strong>, signaling a smooth production phase.</p><h3><strong>The Netflix Dispute: A Teaser Gone Wrong</strong></h3><p>Though the shoot was completed without issue, problems arose during the post-production and promotional stages. Netflix released an early <strong>teaser video</strong> that was <strong>not actual footage</strong> from the film but rather a <strong>look test</strong> done for an agency.</p><p>The teaser faced heavy criticism for its visual tone and production quality, creating a misleading impression of the movie. Screenwriter Abhishek Banerjee later clarified, “The scary part is that this teaser is the only publicly available material from <i>Chakda ’Xpress</i>. But it has nothing to do with the real film.”</p><p>The backlash reportedly triggered <strong>creative disagreements</strong> between <strong>Clean Slate Filmz and Netflix</strong>, stalling the release indefinitely. Industry insiders claim that Clean Slate may now need to <strong>buy back the distribution rights</strong> from Netflix to move forward — a costly and complex process that has kept the film locked away for over two years.</p><p>Both editor <strong>Manas Mittal</strong> and Banerjee have since confirmed that this fallout is the <strong>core reason</strong> behind the delay, despite the film being “ready for release.”</p><h3><strong>Timing and Relevance: Women’s Cricket Rises, Film Still on Hold</strong></h3><p>The delay feels especially unfortunate given the <strong>resurgence of women’s cricket in India</strong>. In <strong>July 2025</strong>, the Indian women’s team, captained by <strong>Harmanpreet Kaur</strong>, won the <strong>ICC Women’s World Cup</strong> for the first time — a monumental achievement that captivated global audiences and inspired millions of young athletes.</p><p><i>Chakda ’Xpress</i>, centered on one of the pioneers who paved the way for that victory, would have been perfectly timed for release. But while the world celebrated real-life heroes, the cinematic tribute to one of them remains unseen.</p><p>Bollywood has historically struggled with sports biopics about female athletes. <i>Shabaash Mithu</i> (2022), starring Taapsee Pannu as cricketer Mithali Raj, earned only ₹2.89 crore against its ₹48 crore budget. Industry experts believe such underperformances make streaming platforms cautious, especially about high-budget sports dramas.</p><h3><strong>Where Things Stand Now</strong></h3><p>As of late 2025, <i>Chakda ’Xpress</i> has <strong>no confirmed release date</strong>, <strong>no official trailer</strong>, and <strong>no marketing activity</strong>. The film’s cast — including <strong>Dibyendu Bhattacharya</strong> and several newcomers — have expressed frustration over the delay but continue to praise Anushka’s dedication to the role.</p><p>Even <strong>Jhulan Goswami</strong> herself admitted in interviews that she hasn’t received any recent updates on the film’s release, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding its future.</p><h3><strong>A Missed Opportunity—For Now</strong></h3><p>While <i>Chakda ’Xpress</i> remains in limbo, its story has only grown more powerful and relevant. The tale of Jhulan Goswami — a woman who broke barriers in a male-dominated sport — resonates even louder in the wake of India’s World Cup win.</p><p>For now, fans continue to wait, hoping Netflix and Clean Slate Filmz can resolve their differences. When the film finally does release, <i>Chakda ’Xpress</i> might not just be a sports biopic — it could become a defining symbol of women’s cricket’s rise and resilience in India.</p>