(Byline – Aditya Giri Deka)
For Daisy Basumatary, a mass communication student from Tezpur University (TU), it was a dream come true when she got an opportunity to share the screen with Bollywood actress Taapsee Pannu in the latter’s starrer-film Rashmi Rocket, released on 15th October.
“I was involved with sports from before, and since it’s a sports-based film, I got the opportunity to act in the film. A contact from the Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), Guwahati, informed me that they were approached by the casting people from the film. The film required girls to act as the Chinese team in the Asian Games, and I am grateful to be given that chance (Sic.).”, says Basumatary in a telephonic conversation with ‘NE India Broadcast.’
She informs that the shooting of her scenes took place last December in Ranchi.
Regarding her time at the shoot, Basumatary says that she had a great learning experience.
“It felt wonderful to be part of a film shoot, and I enjoyed my time at Ranchi. Everyone involved in the film was friendly, and it felt great to share the screen with Taapsee Pannu (Sic.).”, she further adds.
Moreover, according to Basumatary, what intrigued her the most was the meticulous attention to detail in the film set. She says, “Every little thing was taken care of during the shooting process. I was a bit amazed by the thorough organization in the set, and the proceedings were smoothly conducted.”
Directed by Akarsh Khurana, the film Rashmi Rocket aims to highlight the plight of the athletes who undergo gender testing. Taapsee Pannu plays the leading role in the film, alongside the likes of Priyanshu Painyuli, Abhishek Banerjee, and Shweta Tripathi.
Inspired by real-life events, the film circles around a village girl Rashmi (Taapsee Pannu), who aspires to compete for India in the World Championships. Initially, everything falls in place for her in her career in terms of success and fame.
Though, the film takes a dramatic turn when she is forced to undergo a gender test. She is then declared ‘not a woman’ for increased testosterone levels in the bloodstream and barred from competing in events.
Then begins her fight against the athletics association to regain her respect and maintain her identity.
The film exposes the exploitation that female athletes have to experience under the cloak of gender testing and for not meeting the conventional standards of femininity.
