Anushka Sharma has finally made a debut to the OTT world and has returned to the big screen after almost three-year break. The actress, known for her versatile acting skills, was last seen in ‘Zero’ in 2018.
On January 6, Netflix released a teaser for Anushka’s latest film, ‘Chakda Xpress’, in which she will play former Indian women’s team captain Jhulan Goswami. The film’s teaser had mixed reactions from netizens. While some were thrilled to see Anuskha after three years, others were unsatisfied by her brownface and Bengali accent.
‘Chakda Xpress’, as observed by the teaser, is a biopic with an astonishing plot, recounting the wonderful journey of Jhulan Goswami, one of the fastest female bowlers in world cricket history.
Anushka shared the minute-long teaser on her official Instagram and Twitter account, stating “Jhulan’s story is truly an underdog story in the history of cricket in India and the film is our celebration of her spirit.”
View this post on Instagram
Anushka’s fans are excited to see her back on the big screen, several took to Twitter to praise the Chakda Xpress teaser.
Finelly #AnushkaSharma is backk with this masterpiece #ChakdaXpress is inspired by the life and times of former indian captain @JhulanG10
Can’t wait for @AnushkaSharma mam backk with action#netflixindia #Netflix #JhulanGoswami pic.twitter.com/ufeLW5n9la
— (@impkdurg26) January 6, 2022
#ChakdaXpress – #JhulanGoswami Life Story
Welcome Back Anushka SharmaBollywood Guys appo than Biopic ellam Vida porangaloopic.twitter.com/WGWX5c9OJM
— Saloon Kada Shanmugam (@saloon_kada) January 6, 2022
Today is a very special day for the people living in Chakdaha.
Chakdaha Express is a biopic on Indian woman cricketer Jhulan Goswami. #AnushkaSharma in as #JhulanGoswami in #ChakdaXpress for Netflix. pic.twitter.com/NNF8fLyDIO
— Jaydip Bhattacharyya (@Jaydip_Cr7) January 6, 2022
@AnushkaSharma is gonna be back with #ChakdaXpress helmed by my favourite @prosit_roy. Uff, can’t wait!
— Anuj Radia (@AnujRadia) January 6, 2022
#ChakdaXpress
Just saw the trailer and this line made me
Kudos to the person who came up with it@AnushkaSharma @NetflixIndia
Wtf this hit hard pic.twitter.com/36Sy6GVgbs— Divyanshi Srivastava (@divyanshii__) January 6, 2022
Meanwhile, some on Twitter heavily criticized on casting of Anushka Sharma for a brownface and Bengali character, saying that there are plenty of Bengali actors who could have been chosen to play the role.
They could have easily hired some Bengali actress to portray Jhulan Goswami in Chakda Express but they hired Anushka Sharma, made her do brownface and her fake Bengali accent just sucks.
— ani ♡ (@rkivetunes) January 6, 2022
Why couldn’t a dusky actress be cast as JhulanGoswami in #ChakdaXpress ? Why take a supremely lighter slim actress and get her so bronzed up? Beyond me.
— Maya (@Sharanyashettyy) January 6, 2022
Jhulan Goswami to Director when she came to know that Anushka is playing lead role in her biopic : #JhulanGoswami #ChakdaXpress pic.twitter.com/xpK0V53uvc
— Raghav Masoom (@comedibanda) January 6, 2022
Audience pic.twitter.com/0sl3S678ki
— Bleh (@IamLuvK) January 6, 2022
So sorry but I’m low-key offended by that accent as a Bengali Do NOT come at me saying that Jhulan speaks like that or whatever. As a native Bengali this accent sounds like a caricature and I don’t think anybody who isn’t well versed with the language will understand https://t.co/lBurHCrUSP
— Rhea (@exultantdreamer) January 6, 2022
Man she isn’t even looking half as similar as Jhulan Goswami. Neither in height nor in complexion. Even her Bengali accent is very cringe. https://t.co/TArsrAGWJA
— Hriday Shetty (@HridayShetty6) January 6, 2022
The way she’s telling Kintu Chinta Koro Na..
Seems like the filmmakers thought Jhulan was a Probasi Bangali… https://t.co/2A1FCquAvz
— ❋ (@Avik_GillStan) January 6, 2022
Jhulan Goswami was honoured, and in contrast to what netizens are saying, she expressed her thoughts on the teaser in a twitter thread.
When you represent India, that’s all that is on your mind. Tum desh ke liye khel rahe ho, apne liye nahi. 11 women playing to place Team India’s name in history.
It doesn’t matter if they said ladkiyan cricket nahi khel sakti. pic.twitter.com/H7LQ4BEzQP
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) January 6, 2022
It doesn’t matter if sometimes a man’s accomplishments are placed above your own.
It doesn’t matter if the stadiums are empty.When you pull up on to the pitch to bowl, all you see is the opponent holding the cricket bat and the stumps you need to knock out.
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) January 6, 2022