Review : Ghoomer
In India Cricket is like a religion. The popularity of the game is immense and over the years females too have started playing the game in large numbers. India has their Women’s Cricket team which is doing well on the International circuit. New movie Ghoomer is a story of a female cricketer who faces hardships of another kind as the destiny plays havoc in her life after being selected to represent India on an international level. The movie Ghoomer tells the story of a handicapped sportsperson and a dejected sportsman. Having inspired by true events, Ghoomer, relies mainly on fiction and the director R Balki does ‘magic’ with his storytelling prowess. Though the narration defies logic, it scores high in emotions department.
Anina Dixit (Saiyami Kher) is a right handed batsman who keeps scoring centuries in women’s domestic cricket leagues and gets selected for probables for an England tour. During the selection process a drunk Padam Singh Sodhi aka Paddy (Abhishek Bachchan), who is a former test player, criticises teams’ Best bats-woman Anina. He even barges into women’s cricket team’s celebration dinner where he insults Anina for getting selected and selectors for selecting her. Dejected and humiliated Anina rushes home with her boyfriend Jeet (Angad Bedi). They meet with an car accident and Anina’s right hand gets amputated in the hospital crashing her hopes of representing her country in Cricket. Paddy visits her house and tries to convince her family, Dadi (Shabana Azmi) and father (Shivendra Singh Dungarpur) that Anina can still play for India. Anina initially gets angered by his very presence but later decides to believe in his belief. The story is built up on Anima’s struggles to play cricket with one hand, from an illustrious right handed batter to a left arm bowler. The whimsical ways of coach Paady and determination of Anina forms the crux of the story.
Thought story is inspiring a lot of cinematic liberties are taken in the screenplay. Though screenplay is well written, a few points are illogical. Why in the first place Paddy chooses to insult unknown person like Anina? How he is allowed to enter the ground while the selection process in progress? But the predicted but interesting second half allows the film to get lifted. The raw training sessions are stretched but Saiyami Kher looks convincing in them. Though Paady has hit the bottle in a big way, his back story and his sister’s (Ivanka Das) back story is missing. R Balki with his deft handling makes the proceedings entertaining. He manages to put forth a poignant and powerful tale on human resilience through cricket. The productions values are good and the cinematography is excellent. Abhishek Bachchan brings forth the eccentricities of the character very well on screen. In some scenes he reminds you of his father’s acting style. He is good throughout the movie. Saiyami Kher impresses with her portrayal. Being a cricketer herself, Saiyami has played a cricketer and the cricketer’s mindset to the point. Her struggles look authentic. R Balki divulges a few secrets in the end which answers a lot of queries raised in viewer’s minds when the proceedings are on. Dialogues are sparkling enough, eg. ‘I dreamt of playing for India one day and I played for India only for a day’, says Paddy. The term Ghoomer is fully justified by him. Shabana Azmi’s easiness before camera is outstanding and she plays Dadi with usual elan. A cameo by Amitabh Bachchan lights up the screen.
Ghoomer is a poignant and powerful tale on human resilience and needs watching on screen.
***1/2
Keerti Kadam. 