Ghoomer (2023) Review!!

Synopsis – Anina, a young batting prodigy, loses her right hand in an accident. An unsympathetic, failed cricketer gives her new hope, trains her with unconventional techniques, to turn her fate around.

My Take – Cricket and films are the basic obsessions of every common Indian family, sadly though with the exception of Iqbal (2005), M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016) and to an extent 83 (2021), the two haven’t mixed really well over the years.

And while the continuing demand of sports biopics continue to ruin good stories, in the hands of ace filmmaker R. Balki, who makes a triumphant return following the sadly under-seen thriller Chup: Revenge of The Artist (2022), this fictional story works much better than those supposed real stories.

Drawing inspiration from the remarkable feat of Karoly Takacs, a deceased Hungarian shooter who clinched two Olympic Gold medals using his left hand following a severe injury to his right hand, this one is a riveting sports drama that takes us on an emotional journey into the life of an athlete who defied all odds to achieve greatness in the world of cricket.

From practicing on a makeshift pitch in the backyard to playing in a stadium in England, the film immerses you into a world where heart meets logic. As director Balki captures the essence of sportsmanship and the power of determination, leaving us exhilarated, inspired and empowered all at the same time.

The film bowls us over with its intriguing screenplay, impressive performances and a smooth blend of entertainment and messaging that fills you with pride and a sense of fulfillment. Reminding us that limitations can be overcome with sheer belief, hard work, and determination.

The story follows Anina (Saiyami Kher), an aspiring cricketer with a dream of securing a spot in India’s National Women’s Cricket team. Backed by unwavering support from her family, particularly her grandmother (Shabana Azmi), and her childhood sweetheart, Jeet (Angad Bedi), the young batting prodigy makes her way through the state-level games and finally gets an opportunity to attend the tryouts for the Indian team.

Though she performs spectacularly, the process is interrupted by Padam Singh Sodhi aka Paddy (Abhishek Bachchan), a drunkard former test player, who begins to degrade Anina when she is unable to tackle his bowling. And continues to mocks her when she is actually selected to represent India in the upcoming series with England.

Sadly, while driving away in frustration with Jeet, the two end up in an accident in which Anina ends up losing her right arm. Left demotivated and suicidal as she is unable to play cricket again, Anina’s life fills up with hope once again when Paddy shows up at her doorstep with an offer to coach her over the next 10 months if she wants to, but not as a bats-woman but as a left-arm spinner.

Faced with adversity and physical limitations, Anina embarks on an extraordinary comeback that tests her limits and ignites his passion once again. The film paints a vivid picture of this remarkable transformation, inviting the audience to witness how Anina emerges from the depths of adversity to achieve her dreams, all while grappling with the aftermath of the accident.

Thankfully, the script sensitively highlights the frustrations and determination that shows her true commitment to return her favorite sport. The film excels in its portrayal of both the physical challenges and the emotional struggles that athletes often endure. The training sequences are intense and visually captivating, showcasing the dedication and hard work required to excel in the chosen sport.

Sure, there are a lot of structural similarities between Iqbal and this film. Be it the coach’s character, the drinking obsession, how they sought redemption through coaching, and the rough dynamic between the coach and player, but director Balki‘s film, which he co-wrote with Rahul Sengupta and Rishi Virmani, rides heavily on empathy.

With an uncomplicated screenplay, he effortlessly manages to make you connect with his characters. Be it Anina’s struggle or Paddy’s despair, you feel empathetic towards both. While Anina’s condition makes you feel helpless, at no point the film makes you pity her. With the film messaging rightfully about the never-ending spirit of humans. In another scene, Paddy’s emotional monologue recounting how his journey in cricket lasted for a single match and he could never experience what a winner feels, compels you to think and even get teary-eyed. And his desire to experience what a winner feels, hits you hard.

Sure, it hinges on the melodrama a little too much, but at 134 minutes, the film rarely appears sluggish. Amid other things, director Balki also touches upon gender equality, discrimination in sports, importance of education and superstitious beliefs that often come into play. Even the actual cricket matches are captured fantastically.

Performances wise, Saiyami Kher delivers a brilliant act in a physically demanding role. The kind of conviction and confidence she shows is just exceptional. While her cricket background does elevate her performance, Saiyami make the character look more believable. Abhishek Bachchan is once again terrific. The film provides him with the perfect canvas to showcase his range, depth, and commitment to his craft, and he does full justice to them.

Shabana Azmi is a delight to watch, scoring with her humor and spontaneity. Angad Bedi too brings in a restrained performance. Ivanka Das makes for a welcome addition and acts as a show-stealer in many scenes. Amitabh Bachchan‘s cameo is a treat to watch. On the whole, ‘Ghoomer’ is a riveting sports drama anchored by fine performances and strong emotions.