R Balki’s Directorial masterpiece Ghoomer is an inspiring tale of turning misfortune into an opportunity, and rising back from the ashes like a phoenix. The film displays an excellent lineup of performances by Abhishek Bachchan, Siyami Kher, Shabana Azami and Angad Bedi in the lead roles writes Dr Priyaankaa Mathur.
Ghoomer is a poignant tale of endurance and never giving up the sportsman spirit of a right-handed woman cricketer Anina (Sayami Kher). Anina is a brilliant player, who qualifies to get onboard the Indian women’s cricket team for a tour to England. But, misfortune strikes her on the day of her selection.She meets with an accident to lose her right arm,while driving home with her childhood friend and lover (Angad Bedi).
While,Anina has lost all hopes, mourns and wants to die, there arrives a light in the darkness. Padam Singh Sodhi (Paddy) played by Abhishek Bachchan, who’s a retired test cricketer and a left-hand bowler.He suffered from a rib fracture during a match in 1995, but never got his due to play again for the country.Paddy challenges Anina not to give up on her dreams and yet again play for India, offering her to coach,how to bowl with her left hand.
Then begins the journey of the mentor and the disciple, who strengthen each other as crutches to stand back on their own feet. After a rigorous training, Anina finally gets on board the Indian cricket team again, while she masters and displays a super spin technique which astonished her selectors. The technique is later named ‘Ghoomer’ in the Indian parlance which represents the traditional spinning dance form of Rajasthan,which is coined by a commentator on the cricket field (Amitabh Bachchan), who plays a small cameo in the film.
The film is certainly very engaging with excellent performances by Siyami Kher, Abhishek Bachchan and Shabana Azami, along with well-written dialogues and articulated direction by R Balki.The music of the film with the Ghoomer title song, creates the winning spree and excitement of the game, making it an audiences delight to watch.
Saiyami Kher enacts the role and its subtle nuances brilliantly, while she leaves you with moist eyes throughout her struggle. She displays utmost mastery in delivering both the physicality and the technique required for the role, not only as an actor, but also because she happens to be a cricketer herself in real life.
Abhishek Bachchan is truly the lifeline of the film, displaying excellent performance. He delivers multiple shades of emotions playing an old grumpy drunkard who’s lived all his life awaiting a single chance to experience victory. He’s angry, sad, humourous and sarcastic in life and engages the audiences with every dialogue written excellently, that one would want to listen to again.
Shabana Azmi plays Anina’s grandmother who’s a diehard cricket fan, while she happens to be her backbone in her quest to win again.
Indeed a must-watch film for all cricket lovers, to explore the most unpredictable game and Anina’s winning story, which especially empowers those who are specially-abled.
FF Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
