R. Balki’s Ghoomer is a fresh sports drama narrating the inspiring life of Anina, a rising batting prodigy who makes a remarkable comeback in the cricketing world after losing her arm in an accident. With the support of her alcoholic and bitter coach Paddy, played by Abhishek Bachchan, she picks herself up and leaves her critics speechless. Although the film had a powerful plot, Saiyami Kher as Anina failed to maintain a balance but Abhishek Bachchan delivered a solid performance. His character comprised many layers and each layer acted as a metaphor for the harsh treatment meted out to him during his stint as a bowler. The characters were well sketched and had depth. In short, the film is pretty realistic and deserves at least one watch. (I liked/didn’t like Ghoomer because... August 19)

Aayman Anwar Ali

Ghoomer depicts the extraordinary journey of Anina, played by Saiyami, a cricketer, whose life meets with an unexpected accident that leaves her with only one hand. Post the accident, Anina becomes a leftie and contemplates ending her life, but that’s when Abhishek’s Paddy enters it. Ghoomer owes its inspiration to the Hungarian shooter Karoly Takacs, who won an Olympic gold despite having a seriously injured hand. R. Balki’s direction makes sure that Ghoomer never forgets about celebrating the indomitable human spirit. The film tactfully walks a fine line between emotional moments and moments of humour. It prioritises magic over logic to tell a tale of human resilience and vulnerability. Ghoomer is elevated by its performances but its soul lies in Balki, Rahul Sengupta and Rishi Virmani’s uplifting writing that leaves you both teary-eyed and chuckling. “Woh leftie nahi left hi hai” says Paddy to Rasika (Ivanka Das) describing Anina.

Characters are refreshingly supportive, non-judgmental, unpretentious and good-hearted. The film scales its zenith when Abhishek takes the stage with his monologue. He delves into the labyrinth of his character’s life, unravelling the hows and whys of his predicament. It is through these moments that his performance transforms into an enigmatic blend of darkness and wit. The fact that Saiyami Kher has played cricket makes her the best choice for this extremely challenging part. One-handed bowling with just the left arm is no cakewalk but she nails it. Her athletic physique, stance and cricketing shots are impeccable. Saiyami’s transformation is brilliant. Her character makes you feel the pain with every shot and angle. It is also a perfect example of how with grit and determination, everything is possible. In true Balki style, gender and age-related roles, superstitions and stereotypes are dismissed seamlessly. Shabana Azmi brimming with a youthful spirit plays Anina’s cricket expert granny. A self-proclaimed Roger Federer fan (which the senior actress is in real life, too), her character’s knowledge of ICC rules and regulations, cricket trivia and recipes of health drinks for pro athletes, works well to shatter the notion that women don’t understand statistics. This makes you wonder why female cricket enthusiasts predominantly end up as cricket anchors and not experts. Amitabh Bachchan’s extended cameo comes as a surprise. He offers an insightful commentary that complements the central theme. With his unparalleled charisma, Bachchan’s cameo enhances the emotional resonance of Ghoomer, serving as a reminder of his enduring influence in the world of cinema. Ghoomer isn’t just a cinematic journey into the world of cricket; it’s an expedition into the uncharted territories of human emotions. It breaks a certain template to give you a poignant and powerful tale of human resilience through the prism of cricket.

Roshni Ojha

Directed by R. Balki, this is a heartwarming tale of a gritty comeback against insurmountable odds. Abhishek Bachchan plays the role of a cricketer who has left his glory days behind and has drowned himself in alcohol. He gives one of his sterling performances in the film. Saiyami Kher surprises us with her intensity and emoting skills in her debut movie. Shabana Azmi needs no introduction.

The story, especially the second half, is about how to build a winner from scratch. How loss of a limb should not stop you from scaling the heights which you are meant to. Add to this, a nail-biting end to a thrilling India vs England ODI.

You know the movie is an all-out sensation when physically challenged soldiers dance the ‘ghoomer’ on wheelchairs in their hospital wards, a tuition teacher interrupts her class to watch the match, and an auto driver refuses his fare.

We are a cricket-crazy nation, no doubt. Add this to the passion and focus for the game and you have a poignant movie by R. Balki.

Pampa Paul

R Balki’s movies have always been unconventional and creative. Ghoomer is a beautiful inspirational sports film. The performances are exemplary and praiseworthy. Shabana Azmi as the doting grandma is adorable. Angad Bedi with his cuteness has left a lasting impression. Kudos to Saiyami Kher for the effortless performance of a complex role. She’s a tigress uncaged and wild enough to conquer the jungle. Huge credit for the technical detailing. Avoidance of the typical sympathetic melodrama elements was highly appreciated. Amit Trivedi’s soulful numbers elevated the mood of the film, specifically the uplifting Ghoomer title song. Abhishek Bachchan is flawless. He is an underrated gem who requires polishing to uncover his shine. We all need a strong mentor and life coach like him to trigger and address our hidden fears. This was the finest ensemble and the most soulful movie by R. Balki so far.

Saurav Gupta