Anushka Sharma Trained for 7 Months, Jhulan Goswami Cried Watching It, But Her Comeback Film Chakda ’Xpress Still Isn’t Out: WHY

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Anushka Sharma’s much-anticipated return to the screen, Chakda ’Xpress, based on the life of legendary cricketer Jhulan Goswami, continues to be delayed, much to the disappointment of fans.

Originally scheduled for release in 2023, the film was to mark her comeback after a long break following the 2018 Zero debacle. However, the movie has been stuck in limbo, with issues surfacing from the very beginning.

From the pandemic disrupting production to a fallout between Clean Slate Filmz and Netflix, several factors have delayed the film’s release. Despite Anushka’s rigorous seven-month training and the emotional reaction of Goswami herself to the film, Chakda ’Xpress remains in the shadows, waiting for a clear path to the screen.

A Troubled Start: COVID, Pregnancy, and Production Chaos

The troubles for Chakda ’Xpress began right from the first schedule in April 2020. As the pandemic brought the world to a standstill, the film faced one hurdle after another. Sharma’s pregnancy announcement during this time added further complexity to the production, and the original producer pulled out.

To make matters worse, the film’s director, Prosit Roy, became heavily involved with the successful series Paatal Lok. These combined setbacks ensured that Chakda ’Xpress was stuck in the starting blocks for a considerable amount of time.

A New Hope: Netflix Steps In, But Teaser Trouble Strikes

By 2022, the film got a new lifeline as Netflix came onboard, with the streaming platform opting to reformat it for digital release. While this move gave the film another chance, things took a nosedive with the release of a teaser that did not represent the final cut. Instead, it was made from a look test Sharma did for an agency, which left fans disappointed. The backlash from this teaser put the production in an awkward position, with the writer, Abhishek Banerjee, clarifying that the teaser was not representative of the actual film.

Fallout Between Clean Slate Filmz and Netflix

The troubles only deepened as Clean Slate Filmz, Sharma’s production company, faced a fallout with Netflix. Despite not issuing an official statement, reports suggest that creative differences and budgetary issues were to blame. The fallout didn’t just affect Chakda ’Xpress, but also another project, Afghaani Snow, featuring Vijay Varma and Triptii Dimri.

Both films now remain stuck in limbo, with Clean Slate Filmz needing to buy out the rights for a release. However, as Sharma stepped away from Clean Slate and took a break from acting after the birth of her children, the interest around the projects appears to have faded.

A Tearful Screening for Jhulan Goswami

Despite these significant hurdles, the team behind Chakda ’Xpress did manage to show the film to the very person it was based on: Jhulan Goswami. The cricketer, who had been eagerly awaiting the project, was visibly moved after watching it. According to the film’s editor, Manas Mittal, Goswami was brought to tears, expressing her pride in how the sport was portrayed. Mittal shared (via Indian Express):

“I told her, 'I hope we have done justice to the sport you have played, at least — if not you.’ She said she was proud of how we have shown cricket.”

What’s Next for Chakda ’Xpress?

As of now, the future of Chakda ’Xpress remains uncertain. The film, though complete, has yet to see the light of day. With Sharma’s hiatus and the unresolved issues between Clean Slate Filmz and Netflix, the prospects for a 2025 release are unclear. However, with a project of such emotional depth, the anticipation remains, and fans can only hope that the film will eventually see its rightful release.