Cricket is no less than a religion in India and the cricketers are worshipped as Gods here. While for the longest time, it was the men’s cricket team that was always glorified in popular culture, in the recent times, women’s cricket has also started getting its due in the limelight. With two big films ready to release in the coming years on legendary Indian women cricketers, cinema is all out celebrating these women and their contribution to the sport. One of them, the Taapsee Pannu-starrer Shabaash Mithu, which is a biopic of Indian women’s team captain Mithali Raj, unveiled its teaser today and it has really left me with chills.
Check out the teaser here:
The teaser brings forth some of the most renowned accomplishments of Mithali’s career including her being the only Indian cricketer to score seven consecutive 50s in ODIs, captain the Indian team in four world cups and being the youngest cricketer to score a 200 in Test cricket while having an illustrious career spanning over 23 years.
Just seeing Taapsee put on those foot pads while wearing the blue uniform gave me goosebumps, but as she heads on to the field and gives that piercing stare at the end, that is what just left me spellbound. The film promises to uncover the unheard story of the women in blue, and Taapsee seems to have brought out her best to play this iconic figure in Indian sporting history.
Mithali is currently leading the women’s team in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup 2022 and is continuing to shatter records. The release of this teaser couldn’t have been more timely as it has rejuvenated my interest as I am witnessing our women fighting on the cricketing field to bring glory to India.
Shabaash Mithu also features Vijay Raaz in a pivotal role and the film chronicles the highs and lows, setbacks and moments of euphoria in Mithali’s life. It has been shot across various domestic and international locations including the infamous Lords Cricket Ground in the UK, to aptly bring alive the cricketer’s iconic journey and her meteoric rise to the world stage. It is directed by Srijit Mukherji and written by Priya Aven, while it is produced by Viacom 18 Studios.
Cricket and cinema are two of the biggest faiths in India and their amalgamation is always something that I look forward to. While Taapsee has been proving herself with every role of hers, I am certain that this one will be one for the ages. Seeing her look in the film, I am sure that she has brought out her best and I can’t wait to see this iconic and inspiring journey of Mithali on screen.