Taapsee Pannu to feature in Mithali Raj biopic

Actor Taapsee Pannu is set to star in "Shabaash Mithu", a film on Indian women's cricket team captain Mithali Raj."Shabaash Mithu" will be backed by Viacom18 Studios and directed by "Raees" helmer Rahul Dholakia. Taapsee said she is hored to play role and has already started feeling pressure of stepping in her shoes.

"I don't think I want to trade this place with anyone else right w. She has always been brave and strong to back truth and her idols, and that is connect I feel with her. way she changed way women's cricket is perceived and seen in India is truly a story worth telling," actor said in a statement.

"Kudos to Viacom18 Studios for choosing to tell this story. I look forward to working with Rahul Dholakia for this first of its kind story and to learn yet ar sport which is treated as a religion in our country, cricket," she added.

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Anuncing film on Mithali's birthday, Ajit Andhare, COO, Viacom18 Studios, said story idea struck him about a year ago while watching movie "Hidden Figures". 

"After securing rights, we worked with several external writers to develop script. However, it was our own creative director Priya Aven who cracked script I was looking for. So, it's a completely home-grown film for us. Mithali Raj is a name that stands for women power in world of Indian cricket."

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"Playing her will be fearless Taapsee Pannu, who is t just a powerhouse of talent but also face of new woman in Bollywood. Viacom18 Studios is proud to bring this untold story of rise of Indian women cricket to life on screen," he added.

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Mithali said with film, she will get a bigger platform to reach young women who are dreaming to make it big. 

"I have always stood for and voiced my opinion for equal opportunity for women t just in cricket but across all fields. I want to thank Ajit Andhare and Viacom18 Studios for t just bringing alive my story on screen but also for giving me a bigger platform to be able to reach out to young women who dare to dream," she added.

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