In Ghoomer, Saiyami Kher has made quite an impression playing a cricketer who relies on her left arm to play the game when she loses her right arm to an accident. Directed by R. Balki and co-starring Abhishek Bachchan, the film fulfils Saiyami’s dream to star in a film based on her favourite sport and is now playing in cinemas. A chat with the actor.

What have the reactions to Ghoomer been like so far?

The unique thing about this film is that I am getting reactions from such diverse audiences. From Virender Sehwag, R. Ashwin and Harsha Bhogle, who are all attached to the game of cricket, to completely different family audiences like people aged 70 years and older who went for a screening yesterday. That, I feel, is the film’s biggest success... that people are taking away so many different things from the film. Some people are resonating with the cricket, some with the trans story, some with the grandmother’s track... so it’s good that it has something for everyone.

For me, the cherry on the cake is the stamp of approval that every actor waits for. I received a letter of appreciation and flowers from Mr (Amitabh) Bachchan last night. I was very emotional.

Regarding what you had to do both physically and emotionally, would Ghoomer count as your toughest film yet?

Most definitely! There is no doubt about it. For the physical part of it, once you focus your mind and you dedicate your time to it, you can achieve what you want to achieve. I had to become a left-hander from being a right-hander all my life. I had to do everything with one hand. It became second nature to me because while shooting the film for four-five months, I only used my left hand... to write, to eat, to cook, to drive.... I played cricket and did my practice with my left hand. It was very difficult but it was still doable because it was physical.

But emotionally, this film has really drained me out. I spent some time with quite a few para-athletes to understand their journey and learn from their lives. One needs to dig deep within while playing such an emotionally exhausting character.

Are you ambidextrous now?

I am! Feels quite great! (Smiles) Last night at a screening, I involuntarily started eating with my left hand and AB (Abhishek Bachchan, her Ghoomer co-star) was like: ‘Oh! Abhi leftie ho kya?’ (Laughs) And I was surprised myself because I hadn’t realised I was doing it.

I haven’t played cricket in a while, but for the promotions, I did some left-arm bowling and I was hitting the right spot. So I am glad that it’s still there.

I know that Ghoomer is a dream come true for you. How did the role happen for you?

There have been a few films about sport that have happened but unfortunately, the producers didn’t want to back me because of commercial reasons, I guess. I am extremely indebted and grateful to Balki who stood by his vision and his word. He saw me playing cricket four years ago and told me that if he ever made a film on cricket, he would make it with me. I didn’t quite believe him because I felt that he was R. Balki, he could get anyone he wanted (smiles).

But he was always sure that because I have played the sport, I bring a certain authenticity to the table. He told me that any other actor — even if they train for a long time — may learn to play cricket, but they won’t have the same body language as sportspeople do when they don’t play the game. He told me: ‘There are certain small things you do that show that you play the game. You may not see it, but as a director, I do.’

In terms of mental make-up, is your Anina in Ghoomer similar to you?

I would like to believe so. Anina doesn’t talk a lot, she is the quieter one in the house. Since I was young, I have been pretty much that kind of a person. I have always been reserved. I have been fortunate to have become an actor and got the opportunity to get my emotions out in front of the camera.

Also, Anina’s love for the sport is completely in sync with how I feel about cricket. Balki and AB would laugh because I always eat grilled chicken and salads and they would be like: ‘She always eats like she’s a sportsperson in real life.’

I am thankful that I haven’t undergone anything remotely close to the kind of tragedy that Anina goes through. So the whole emotional arc was something I really had to work on.

What was it like being on the set of R. Balki, who is known to be so unconventional and out-of-the-box in his working style?

I have known Balki for some time now and he’s the most non-filmi person I have come across. He is very happy eating the same bhindi ki sabzi every day. In this business, we are all used to seeing a certain kind of people and he is so different and so refreshing. He is extremely passionate about making films but he also wants to wrap up the shoot and go home as quickly as possible so that he can watch cricket.

Balki and I really bond because we both love cricket. Yesterday on the flight back from Delhi, we were discussing Andy Roberts and Viv Richards and how the ball swung in a particular game in 1973 and AB was like: ‘Aren’t you guys exhausted?! You have made an entire film on it, so why on earth are you still discussing cricket? Just shut up!’ (Laughs) That’s the kind of obsession for the game that Balki and I share.

We are also similar in many ways. We are both quiet and we are not very reactive to things. As a maker, I have immense respect for him because he’s so intelligent and sharp.

Also, what was it like sharing screen space with Shabana Azmi, who is your aunt in real life, in Ghoomer?

It was pretty surreal. As a child, I was very close to her mother Shaukat aapa (Shaukat Azmi). When I wanted to act, I would go to her to get my Hindi and Urdu diction right. Shabana maasi has known me since I was born and it was very emotional for me to be with her on set. First, because she is my Shabana maasi and secondly, because she is Shabana Azmi. Every actor wants to work with her and it’s no different for me.

But it was very surreal because she looks a lot like Shaukat aapa in the film. I almost did a double-take when I saw her on set on the first day. She has been incredibly gracious and supportive and she’s so sensitive and non-interfering. She’s a very giving actor.

There has been a steady stream of notable work from you over the last few years. What has changed?

There is a lot of variety in what I am offered now. And the credit for that goes to Anurag Kashyap. After Choked, I was taken seriously as an actor, something that hadn’t happened before. AK saw Ghoomer in Melbourne and told me it was my best performance yet. The offers I got after Mirzya (her debut film) sought to typecast me, but the graph after Choked has moved positively upwards.

Is there an aspiration to do something with cricket? You ventured into the studio this year to analyse the game....

I am so obsessed with the game that I have been advised by people in the film industry that I shouldn’t be expressing my love for cricket so much because that’s not what a quintessential Bollywood heroine does (smiles). I am not seen at film parties, but I am seen at cricket matches, and that’s who I am. Balki has told me to be true to who I am because only then am I going to shine on screen as an actor.

I run marathons in my free time. I do trekking, cycling.... And then I sat in the studio and it was a dream to talk about the game with the likes of Harsha Bhogle and Michael Vaughn. Right now, all the focus is on doing more work as an actor. The actor in me is very greedy to do more and more work, but as and when I get the time, I will do more with cricket.

Which is your favourite sports film? Tell t2@abp.in