Why Anushka Sharma’s Cricket Biopic Chakda ’Xpress Remains Unreleased After 2 Years
Anushka Sharma’s Chakda ’Xpress: Why the Cricket Biopic Still Hasn’t Released After Two Years
Anushka Sharma’s highly awaited return to the screen with Chakda ’Xpress — the biopic of Indian fast-bowling legend Jhulan Goswami — 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.
Now, after India’s women’s team’s historic ICC World Cup victory in 2025, fans are questioning why the story of one of the sport’s greatest trailblazers still hasn’t reached audiences.
A Promising Start to a Delayed Dream
The idea for Chakda ’Xpress first took shape in 2019, under Anushka’s production company Clean Slate Filmz, co-founded with her brother Karnesh Ssharma. Directed by Prosit Roy and written by Abhishek Banerjee, 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.
Filming was originally set to begin in 2020, 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 Paatal Lok.
The project regained momentum in 2022, when Netflix India came on board, reshaping the film for an OTT release. Despite the new partnership, no major script changes were made. Anushka reportedly underwent seven months of intensive cricket training to embody Goswami’s stance, bowling action, and on-field temperament. Principal photography took place between June and December 2022, signaling a smooth production phase.
The Netflix Dispute: A Teaser Gone Wrong
Though the shoot was completed without issue, problems arose during the post-production and promotional stages. Netflix released an early teaser video that was not actual footage from the film but rather a look test done for an agency.
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 Chakda ’Xpress. But it has nothing to do with the real film.”
The backlash reportedly triggered creative disagreements between Clean Slate Filmz and Netflix, stalling the release indefinitely. Industry insiders claim that Clean Slate may now need to buy back the distribution rights from Netflix to move forward — a costly and complex process that has kept the film locked away for over two years.
Both editor Manas Mittal and Banerjee have since confirmed that this fallout is the core reason behind the delay, despite the film being “ready for release.”
Timing and Relevance: Women’s Cricket Rises, Film Still on Hold
The delay feels especially unfortunate given the resurgence of women’s cricket in India. In July 2025, the Indian women’s team, captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, won the ICC Women’s World Cup for the first time — a monumental achievement that captivated global audiences and inspired millions of young athletes.
Chakda ’Xpress, 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.
Bollywood has historically struggled with sports biopics about female athletes. Shabaash Mithu (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.
Where Things Stand Now
As of late 2025, Chakda ’Xpress has no confirmed release date, no official trailer, and no marketing activity. The film’s cast — including Dibyendu Bhattacharya and several newcomers — have expressed frustration over the delay but continue to praise Anushka’s dedication to the role.
Even Jhulan Goswami herself admitted in interviews that she hasn’t received any recent updates on the film’s release, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding its future.
A Missed Opportunity—For Now
While Chakda ’Xpress 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.
For now, fans continue to wait, hoping Netflix and Clean Slate Filmz can resolve their differences. When the film finally does release, Chakda ’Xpress might not just be a sports biopic — it could become a defining symbol of women’s cricket’s rise and resilience in India.