R Balki is known for making unique and wonderful films. His each and every film has a refreshing content and something different than the regular mainstream cinema.
R Balki has a solid filmography which includes films like Cheeni Kum, Paa, Shamitabh, Ki & Ka, Padman, Chup and now Ghoomer is the latest entrant in it.
Before Ghoomer, R Balki did not make a single bad film and after Ghoomer, R Balki is yet to make a bad film. Ghoomer once again proves that R Balki can never go wrong. Ghoomer is another intellectual film by him.
Anina (Saiyami Kher), a young woman batting prodigy, loses her right hand in an unfortunate accident on the eve of her international cricketing debut. An unsympathetic, failed, and frustrated cricketer Padam Singh Sodhi (Abhishek Bachchan) enters her life, gives her a new dream, and transforms her fate with the most innovative training, making her play for the Indian cricket team again, but this time as a bowler. Ghoomer is the new style of bowling they invent to bamboozle the opposition. Ghoomer tells the inspirational story of Anina who fights against all the odds and emerges a winner. She turns her weakness into her biggest strength.
Performance wise it has been a solid partnership between Saiyami Kher and Abhishek Bachchan. Saiyami Kher has delivered her career best act in Ghoomer. She has played the toughest, strongest, challenging and powerful role in her career. Saiyami deserves a huge round of applause for her stunning performance as Anina. Saiyami is a die hard cricket lover and she understood the subject very well and even got emotionally connected with the script. Saiyami’s hard work, dedication and passion is visible on-screen. She has played the role of a paraplegic cricketer with perfection. Abhishek Bachchan delivers a solid performance. This has to be amongst his top 5 performances. In the scene where Abhishek is seen saying, ‘Lekin ye life logic kaa khel nahi hai, ye life magic kaa khel hai’, it seemed like we were watching Amitabh Bachchan performing on-screen. Abhishek is flawless throughout the film. Everyone needs a mentor like Abhishek in real life. Abhishek can showcase his wonderful acting skills, if he gets a solid script and Ghoomer proves his caliber as an actor. There is a tough competition between Saiyami and Abhishek, who will perform better on-screen. Saiyami and Abhishek are fully involved in the character and have not only performed beautifully but they have lived the characters. Shabana Azmi delivers another solid performance within a span of 20 days. We saw her rocking on-screen with Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani and in Ghoomer she is once again set to steal our hearts. Shabana Azmi is a natural and powerful performer. Angad Bedi acts as natural as he can be and gives a fine performance. Amitabh Bachchan who is associated with R Balki in every film, does commentary in Ghoomer. Big B’s powerful voice and commentary makes you go gaga over him. The supporting cast is fine.
R Balki’s direction is one of the best things about Ghoomer. He keeps the whole narrative intellectual. He has perfectly showcased intellectual cinema with a fine dose of entertainment. He proves each and every point logically. His magical direction doesn’t go wrong anywhere in the film.
The screenplay is very engaging and holds your attention right from the start to the end.
The dialogues are highly intellectual and can be connected well if you’re a cricket lover. The cricket terms and references are perfectly used in the narrative. Ghoomer is a well researched film about cricket which is emotionally very powerful.
R Balki has shown intellectual scenes one after the another which will make you fall in love with him. He has bowled all of us with his pretty direction.
Balki amazes us with his treatment given to the subject. The way he has handled the subject and has connected all the dots perfectly and logically is really praiseworthy.
Ghoomer has many scenes which will make you scream out loud and cheer for the character. There are many clap worthy and whistle worthy scenes. Balki doesn’t let you feel the story as an ordinary one, even for a second. He bowls toe crushing yorkers (back to back intelligent scenes) one after the another which will make you a fan of his bowling (direction).
Music of Ghoomer is inspiring, meaningful and motivational. The songs are placed according to the situations and perfectly match the situations.
The only thing where Ghoomer scores low is in the last 35-40 minutes. The cricket part seems to be a little dramatic. The cricket scenes are not very realistic. Balki has used cinematic liberty which goes over the top in the whole cricketing part. There have been many sports films in Bollywood which follow the same pattern of cinematic liberty which somewhere harms the narrative.
Lagaan was the only Bollywood film based on cricket which was pure and organic. Each and every frame looked real and believable. Lagaan created a different atmosphere and kept the audience on their toes till the end. Not every film can turn out to be Lagaan and that’s why it is regarded as one of the finest films ever made in World Cinema. Iqbal was also a Classic film and was the 2nd best cricket film produced by Bollywood. 83 was also a very good film based on cricket in recent times. Ghoomer is emotionally so powerful that it can make you overlook these flaws, but somewhere deep inside all these things somewhere trouble you.
If we talk about top 6 sports films made in Bollywood, the names which come to mind are Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Lagaan, Iqbal, Chak De India, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Dangal.
Ghoomer also follows the right path of making it an emotional and powerful sports drama. Ghoomer has all the perfect ingredients which make it a wholesome and satisfying experience for viewers.
At one point of time, it looks like a 3.5/5 film, but then the cricket part brings the rating down to 3/5
Still the cricket part is enjoyable and has some nail biting and wow moments which will keep you hooked. The film gives you a memorable and satisfying experience.
Ghoomer reminds us of Marathi film Ananya. Ananya tells us the story of a girl who loses both her hands and how she fights against all the odds and emerges successful in life. The characters in Ananya and Ghoomer will make you feel for the character. People are able to connect and get attached with these 2 characters. When you feel for a particular character, are emotionally attached to it and applaud for the character, it indicates that your film has been accepted by the audience and you have a winner in your hand.
Overall Ghoomer is a must watch film for all the cricket lovers, family audience, who wants to get inspired & motivated and the ones who want to achieve something big in life. The message is loud and clear that no matter what, you can conquer the world with resources available to you and there is no need for additional resources. The film also tells us that each and every individual has infinite power and it depends on that particular individual how he explodes that power. The film tells us that each and every individual is special in its own way. We have seen examples where a handicapped person is more talented than an ordinary person and Ghoomer proves it again. The film touches your heart and moves you. The film is emotionally very powerful and will make you cry. The film along with entertainment also teaches you a lot about life. Ghoomer should be watched for R Balki’s magical direction, Saiyami and Abhishek’s powerful performances, heart touching and emotional story and for a timeless and universal message. A film which will stay with you and deserves all your attention.
Rating – 3/5*
