Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; August 30, 2019)

After essaying the role of a hockey player in Soorma (2018), and an octogenarian sharpshooter in the upcoming film, Saand Ki Aankh, Taapsee Pannu is all set to play an athlete in Rashmi Rocket. The film is about an incredibly fast runner, Rashmi, who hails from Kutch, and the villagers fondly call her Rocket. But when she gets a chance to showcase her talent professionally, she realises that the journey has many hurdles. Her quest turns into her personal battle for respect, honour, and her identity. Directed by Akarsh Khurana, this is a fictional narrative and not based on any real sports personality.

Says Taapsee, “This story instantly hit the right chord when I heard the idea. It’s one of those few films I was waiting to be developed into a script for me to do. Funnily, I have been made to run in almost every film I’ve done in every other genre. But this time, it’s going to be an out-and-out athlete’s tale. What excited me the most was the human drama that unfolds in her life, which makes it much more than a regular story of an athlete.” Akarsh reveals that the project was conceived in Florence, Italy. “Taapsee was there for a film festival with Manmarziyaan (2018) and Mulk (2018). I was at the same event with Karwaan (2018). We saw each other’s films, had some great food, and jammed over an idea that she had.”

The film is produced by Ronnie Screwvala, who shares that he couldn’t think of anyone better than the Pink actress to play this role. “Rashmi Rocket is the story of a girl who achieves and conquers in her field despite all the adversities that come her way. I cannot think of anyone better than Taapsee to play this character. This is a sportsperson’s story that needs to be told with a certain level of sensitivity and no one better than Akarsh to helm this.”