Mithali Raj on Shabaash Mithu: Taapsee acting to kar legi, lekin batting kar payegi kya?

Srijit Mukherji’s Shabaash Mithu which delves into the life of cricketing legend Mithali Raj is all set to release on July 15. Before that, the director, cricketer and lead actress Taapsee Pannu came to Kolkata on Saturday to promote the film. They met the press at Eden Gardens and also posed at the iconic stadium.

While interacting with the media, Mithali shared her anticipation when she got to know that Taapsee will be playing her character on screen. “Mujhe laga acting to kar legi woh. Lekin batting kar payegi kya? That was the question I had in my mind,” she said. Mithali also added that after the trailer, she is satisfied. “After watching the trailer I told her that her batting is very impressive. I am sure that will be something we will see in the film as well. Her batting was the only apprehension I had in my mind,” she added.

Meanwhile, for Taapsee, Mithali’s approval mattered the most. “After the trailer, the only review I cared for was from Mithali. I did not care for anyone else. It is because it is her life. It will not happen again for her or me, or in the Indian cinema. After this whatever you see in Indian cricket you have seen something like that before. So the first time always becomes special. I got my review from her and I am very happy,” said the actress.

Talking about her preparation, Taapsee said, “Initially we only had two-three months. And then the pandemic happened and I got a little more time to train myself.”

She also talked about her coach Nooshin Al Khadeer who trained her. “Thankfully, Mithali was not right next to me when I was shooting. Coach Nooshin Al Khadeer turned me into Mithali on screen. It was probably the toughest training she has given to anyone till now,” she said.

Taapsee paid attention to perfecting her shots. “I told Srijit sir, ‘You have the mic. Don’t say ok until the shot is perfect. He is a cricket fanatic. So I knew that I would need to work really hard. I was sure that it would not go wrong since he was there. Nooshin worked hard before I went to shoot and then he was there. The only credit that I will give to myself is that I worked hard,” said Taapsee.