Ghoomer is a Hindi sports-survival drama film directed by R. Balki, co-written by Rahul Sengupta, Rishi Virmani, and R. Balki. The film stars Abhishek Bachchan and Saiyami Kher in lead roles. The movie tells the story of a cricketer who loses her right arm and learns to reclaim her life. Ghoomer is a movie that tells a tale of human resilience and vulnerability.
Plot
The story revolves around Anina Dixit (Saiyami Kher), a young batting prodigy who loses her right hand in a freak accident just before making her dream debut in international cricket as a batsman. This ends her desire to live, until she stumbles upon an eccentric Test cricketer turned alcoholic, Paddy (Abhishek Bachchan). Paddy offers to train Anina so she could reenter the Indian team as a one-handed bowler. The film is inspired by the story of Károly Takács, the late Hungarian right-hand shooter who won two Olympic gold medals with his left hand after his other hand was seriously injured.
Performances
The actor performances in “Ghoomer” are commendable. Abhishek Bachchan delivers a powerful and layered performance, bringing depth and emotion to his role. Saiyami Kher delivers a powerful and moving portrayal of the determined cricketer, capturing the resilience and strength of her character. The chemistry between Abhishek Bachchan and Saiyami Kher is palpable on screen.
Special mention to Shabana Azmi who’s brimming with a youthful spirit and shines as Anina’s cricket expert granny. She’s a self-proclaimed Roger Federer fan (which the senior actress is in real life, too), her character’s knowledge of ICC cricket rules and regulations, cricket trivia and technique to recipes of health drinks for pro athletes, works well to shatter the notion that women don’t get statistics. The other supporting cast, including Angad Bedi, also deliver noteworthy performances, adding depth to the narrative.
Analysis
The film prioritizes magic over logic to tell a tale of human resilience and vulnerability. It breaks the template of sports movies that have largely been limited to formulaic rags-to-riches themes. Ghoomer breaks this template to give you a poignant and powerful tale on human resilience and cricket. Shabana Azmi’s character also makes you wonder why female cricket enthusiasts predominantly end up as cricket anchors and not experts. In a true Balki style, gender and age-related roles, superstitions, and stereotypes are dismissed seamlessly. The film’s cinematography is also noteworthy, with beautiful shots of India’s landscapes and cricket grounds.
Verdict
The movie is worth watching for its unique storyline, powerful message and excellent performances by the cast. It is an inspiring and beautiful film that leaves a lasting impact and is a must-watch for fans of sports dramas and stories of triumph over adversity. The film showcases the strength of the human spirit and serves as a reminder that one can overcome any obstacle with determination and resilience. However, some viewers may find the film’s pacing slow at times.
Rating
Critic’s rating: 3.5/5
BO rating: 1/5
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