The film was based on the life of former Test and ODI captain of the India women's national cricket team, Mithali Raj, stars Taapsee Pannu in the title role.

After the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures acquired the rights to make a feature film on Raj's life.

"[9] Finally it was Taapsee Pannu who was chosen to play the role of Mithali Raj in the biopic named as Shabaash Mithu, to be directed by Rahul Dholakia in 2020.

[10] On 3 December 2019, coinciding with the birthday of Mithali Raj, the film was finalized with Taapsee Pannu in the title role and Rahul Dholakia as director.

The film was shot on Lord's Cricket Ground in London,[16] and across domestic and international locations to bring real feel of actual events that happened in Mithali's life.

"[25] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "As a fond tribute to a cricketer who transformed the fortunes of women in India's most popular sport, it puts just enough on the scoreboard not be dismissed as an innings without substance.

"[27] Rachana Dubey of The Times of India rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, " The movie doesn't amply showcase those edge-of-the-seat, nail-biting moments that would have unfolded in her life, especially during the 2017 world cup.

"[28] Himesh Mankad of Pinkvilla rated the film 3 out of 5 stars and wrote, "Shabaash Mithu deserves to be watched to witness the journey of a woman, who is responsible for the incredible rise of Indian Women's cricket in the last two decades - Mithali Raj.

"[30] Bollywood Hungama rated the film with 3 stars out of 5 and wrote, "On the whole, Shabaash Mithu tells an inspiring tale of one of the greatest cricket legends in the world.