Picture this: a cinematic playground where human resilience and determination dance to the beat of cricket’s glorious uncertainties. With an intricate blend of sportsmanship, emotions, and determination, ‘Ghoomer’ embarks on a journey that showcases the unbreakable will of those who dare to defy the odds. But it is not just raining fours and sixes here. The dismissals are in form of the preachy nature of the whole narrative and the moments where the movie requires suspension of disbelief. ‘Ghoomer’ isn’t an intimidating 210 in 20 overs, but it is rather a fighting 160.
Plot
At the heart of ‘Ghoomer’ lies the story of Anini (Saiyami Kher), a prodigious batter on the brink of her debut for the Indian team. But fate takes a drastic turn when an unforeseen accident leads to the amputation of her right arm just days before her debut, leaving her mentally devastated. But as Winston Churchill said, the show must go on! How? Enter Paddy (Abhishek Bachchan), an ex-cricketer who’s now an alcoholic in need of redemption. Paddy was a one-match wonder for India after which he was sidelined from the team because of an injury. So on one hand there’s Anini who has lost all hope and on the other, there’s Paddy grappling with his own demons. Together, they script an inspiring story of spectacular spins – both on and off the pitch.
Performances
Saiyami Kher, our cricketing protagonist, swings her way into the cricket scene with the zeal of a sportswoman. Well, that was understandable because Saiyami herself has played for the Maharashtra women’s cricket team! Nahi pata tha na? Her batting stance, graceful bowling action, and triumphant wicket celebrations get you in the feels. It is, however in the scenes outside of the ground, where her weakness is exposed. On the other hand, Abhishek Bachchan delivers one of his strongest performance as Paddy. His depiction of a man navigating bitterness, hope, and redemption is both touching and resonant, showcasing his remarkable acting prowess. Bachchan Jr. really did bring his A-game and stole the show.
Direction and Writing
R Balki’s directorial flair transforms cricket into an emotional rollercoaster. Now I know, the comeback story isn’t a new game, but Balki spins it with relatability and engagement. Cricket’s DNA courses through his veins; the game’s intricacies shine bright. But it is the preachy nature of the writing that really keeps nagging you. Every dialogue now and then feels like a sermon. Balki’s self-awareness blocks the narrative flow, leading to moments that feel more like deliberate messaging than organic storytelling.
Screenplay and Cinematography
The screenplay of ‘Ghoomer’ treads the line between resilience and realism. The climax tries to go with a ‘Chak De! India’ lite moment, but is far from nailing it. Also the number of times the movie requires us to believe things that just cannot be true, is unreal. Cinematography, however, is a total crackerjack – capturing cricket’s dynamism with flair. Anini’s transformation from batter to spinner is a visually delightful dance that’s almost as exciting as Surya Kumar Yadav playing the reverse sweep! But the biggest flaw of the movie is the missing spirit of teamwork in the climax. Yes, it is a story about Anini, but that doesn’t mean the other 10 players have nothing to contribute. They missed a mark here imo.
Now, let’s bowl out this review! ‘Ghoomer’ isn’t just about the cricket, it’s a front-row seat to the human spirit’s thunderous applause. Performances, especially Abhishek Bachchan’s show-stealer, lift the film, making it a sixer in the acting department. R Balki keeps the game engaging, though his insistence on message-dropping sometimes feels like getting caught by your teacher passing notes in class.
As Anini and Paddy form a dynamic duo, the film reminds us that life, like cricket, is all about taking the hits, bouncing back, and hitting those googlies out of the park.
