Anushka Sharma’s ‘Chakda Xpress’ Caught in Release Limbo; Jhulan Goswami REACTS

Anushka Sharma’s long-awaited comeback film Chakda Xpress, a biopic on cricketer Jhulan Goswami, appears to be in limbo. Though the film is said to be nearly finished, its release has been quietly put on hold. The sports drama, produced by Clean Slate Filmz and initially expected to stream on Netflix, now finds itself tangled in delays with no official clarity.

Directed by Prosit Roy and penned by Abhishek Banerjee, Chakda Xpress follows the rise of Jhulan Goswami, one of India’s most renowned women cricketers. The project has struggled with disruptions since the beginning. It was first supposed to go on floors in April 2020, but the COVID-19 outbreak halted progress. Later, the shoot faced further delays due to Anushka Sharma’s pregnancy, the exit of a key producer, and Roy's parallel commitments with Paatal Lok.

Although Netflix did share a teaser early on, it was later clarified that the clip came from a pre-pandemic look test and didn't showcase the actual film footage. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film was close to completion when it was shelved, with only a handful of VFX elements remaining.

The situation grew more uncertain after Clean Slate Filmz reportedly parted ways with Netflix. While speculation points to budget constraints and creative clashes, no official statement has come from either side. The absence of communication has only added to the confusion surrounding the film’s fate.

Amid the speculation, Jhulan Goswami herself was asked about the delay. Her response reflected surprise. “Mereko aisa koi news nahi hai, aur call mujhe kar rahe sab! Mujhe koi comment nai karna,” she told Hindustan Times, making it clear that she too has been left out of the loop.

Meanwhile, editor Manas Mittal revealed to The Hollywood Reporter India that Chakda Xpress was originally set to release just ahead of the World Cup. But as September 2023 passed with no promotions or updates, it became apparent that the release was off track. “It was clear that it was not coming out. Since then, there has been total silence,” he said.

Starring Anushka Sharma, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Renuka Shahane, and Mahesh Thakur, the project remains finished but unreleased. With no communication from the team, the film’s future remains uncertain.