'System didn’t give it a chance': Director Prosit Roy breaks silence on Chakda Xpress release setback

Actor Renuka Shahane recently expressed disappointment that her film Chakda Xpress never made it to streaming. The actor, who featured in the sports biopic alongside Anushka Sharma, shared a brief but pointed note on social media recalling her experience on the project.

Renuka posted a selfie on her Instagram Stories, showing off her short hair and spectacles from the film. Along with the picture, she wrote, “Loved my look in Chakda Xpress!!! Loved working with @prositroy and the Chakda team. Wish the film had streamed (crying face emoji).” Her comment quickly drew attention, especially from those who had been waiting for updates on the film’s release.

Director Prosit Roy reshared her post and responded with a candid message about the project’s stalled journey. He wrote, “Till today, the handful who saw the film during post keep telling me how much it stayed with them. That's the real tragedy it never got to reach everyone it was made for. We gave this film everything we had. Sadly, the system didn't give it the chance it deserved.”

His statement hinted at larger issues behind the scenes, though he did not elaborate further. The film was initially announced as a major OTT release and had generated significant buzz, particularly because it marked Anushka’s return after a long break from acting.

In Chakda Xpress, Anushka portrayed former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami. The biopic aimed to trace Jhulan’s journey in international cricket and highlight the challenges she faced in a male dominated sport. Apart from Anushka and Renuka, the film also featured Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Anshul Chauhan, Koushik Sen and Mahesh Thakur in key roles.

The project would have marked Anushka’s comeback after more than seven years. She was last seen in Zero alongside Shah Rukh Khan. For now, Chakda Xpress remains unreleased, leaving its cast and crew reflecting on what could have been.