Taapsee Pannu to play ace cricketer Mithali Raj in biopic

Taapsee Pannu will star as ace Indian cricketer Mithali Raj in a biopic titled Shabaash Mithu, directed by Rahul Dholakia.

Taapsee, in a statement, said that it was truly an honour to be playing the role of India's most successful women's team captain. "Even though I have already started feeling the pressure of stepping in her shoes, I don't think I want to trade this place with anyone else right now," she added.

The actor also said that Mithali has always been brave and strong in backing the truth, and that's the connect she felt with the cricketer. "The way she changed the way women's cricket is perceived in India is truly a story worth telling. I look forward to working with Rahul Dholakia and learning yet another sport which is treated as a religion in our country," she said.

Viacom18 Studio announced the title and team of the biopic, on the occasion of Mithali's birthday today.

Talking about the biopic, Mithali mentioned that she had always stood for equal opportunites for women, not just in cricket, but across all fields. "I want to thank Viacom18 Studios for not 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.