Taapsee Pannu and the crew of her forthcoming film, Shabaash Mithu, were only a few days into the film’s first schedule when the second wave of the pandemic forced the makers to halt the shoot. The actress had spent months polishing up her cricketing skills and getting the body language right for the biopic on Indian women’s cricket team captain, Mithali Raj.

In a recent turn of events, director Rahul Dholakia, who has earlier helmed films like Raees and Lamhaa, bowed out of Shabaash Mithu, making way for filmmaker Srijit Mukherji, who has award-winning Bengali films like Gumnaami, Jaatishwar and Autograph and the Hindi film Begum Jaan to his credit.

Taapsee says, “It is unfortunate that Rahul sir could not be a part of the film. The pandemic played havoc with the schedules. It was a mutual decision made in the best interest of the film. We had only shot for six days. Right now, I don’t know what the plan is and how Srijit sir wants to take this forward. I don’t know if he wants to keep the portions already shot or would he like to reshoot them. I am sure all that has been factored in.”

The actress, who is currently holidaying in Russia with sister Shagun, adds, “When I come back from Russia, I want to meet him and discuss what’s on his mind. We have been aiming to work together for several years and would discuss so many things, but nothing had worked out.”

Taapsee says, “When I got to know that he will be directing Shabaash Mithu, I texted him saying how strange it is that after all that we had discussed, it was this special film that eventually brought us together.”

Talking about going back on the set, this time with a new director, the actress shares, “I am eager to go return to the set. It would have been tough to restart the film if we were too deep into it. Srijit sir can start wherever he deems fit. His entry does not change much for me, except that I might have to shoot for a few extra days. From what I understand, we might have to wait for the rain to subside and then start filming as this is a cricket-driven story.”

Taapsee, trained by one of Mithali’s friends and a professional coach, started filming Shabaash Mithu in March when she was at the peak of being physically prepared for the role. Speaking about getting back into prep mode before restarting the shoot, Taapsee says, “We had only shot a few cricketing sequences of the time when Mithali was about to play international cricket. So, before we start filming again, I have to brush up on my cricketing skills and hit the peak again. Most producers, who I am working with, are getting their crew vaccinated before they begin work. So, hopefully, when we start again, things will be smoother. I have been waiting for shoots to begin in Mumbai again.”