Ghoomer Review: Not Saiyami Kher, but Abhishek Bachchan actually hits the ball out of the park with R Balki’s brilliant storytelling

Film:
Ghoomer

Platform: Theatres

Director: R Balki

Starcast: Saiyami Kher, Abhishek Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Angad Bedi, Amitabh Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan starrer Ghoomer movie review

In a country like India, where cricket equals religion, a story around that very sport cannot go wrong. R Balki written and directed Ghoomer is also one such story. It is high on emotions, drama, inner turmoils, and triumphs. Especially the last hour of the film will give you many emotional upheavals, you wouldn’t know when you might even start crying. What’s great about Ghoomer is that it will give you a lot of Chak De India! feels, and it is a razor-sharp storyline. Having said that, Balki’s film starring Abhishek Bachchan and Saiyami Kher in principal roles also puts some onus on the shoulders of the actors.

The characters in Ghoomer are very performance-oriented, while Abhishek lives up to it, Saiyami somewhere lacks behind. Even though the story of Ghoomer revolves around Saiyami, it is Abhishek Bachchan whose performance is quite clap-worthy. While Saiyami looks very true and dedicated to the part, she isn’t very convincing as Anina, emotions lack!

Abhishek on the other hand is brilliant in the film. He owns every frame of his performance. Be it the character’s aura or the dialogues, he will make Ghoomer a worthwhile experience. What I also loved is that how effortlessly Abhishek traverses in the layers of his character. He hits a boundary in the film merely with his acting chops.

Story

Ghoomer is a very progressive tale of a woman sportsperson, who has life going in the direction she wants. Her talent is recognized, she is celebrated, and everyone is supportive back home. But it is one untoward incident, rather an accident that changes the rose life of Anina (Saiyami) who is a brilliant batswoman, ready to fly to England for a one-day cricket tournament. Life takes a 360-degree turn when Saiyami loses her right hand, the one that made her the hero. At that very moment, when Anina is dealing with this drastic change, Paddy Sir (Abhishek) comes in as a ray of hope.

He mentors her, trains her to be a bowler, and to get back into the game. Well, after many scenes of that tough training, and finding the x-factor within her, Anina succeeds. She lives the dream that was lost due to the accident. Plays the tournament in England and has everyone singing praises for here.

Even though the story sounds very simple, the way it is executed, and the small moments and layers every character has makes it a great watch.

Technical aspects

Given the theme of the film, it was apt for Balki to not add too much drama or songs to the story. That’s what I liked too, it is a very crisp and neatly told story. In fact, it is even shot and edited very well. All events and sequences happen so well, that there is no scene you feel is unnecessary or could be done away with.

Highlights of Ghoomer

The sync in performances of all characters

What I liked about every character in Ghoomer was that they were linked in a loop. One way or the other, one’s performance depended on the other person and everyone had a scene with the other. There were layers, but all fit in and overlap quite well. So while Angad played Saiyami’s love interest, he shared a rapport with Shabana as well as Abhishek.

Abhishek Bachchan’s performance

No matter how many praises I sing for him, it would be less. Abhishek shines through and through in this film, his dialogue delivery, his expressions, his personal baggage, everything would leave you in awe. Even the moments where he is mean, only impress.

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Amitabh Bachchan’s cameo

Considering Big B is Balki’s lucky charm, having him in the film was given. But I liked how fun Mr. Bachchan’s role was. The screen time was less, but his dialogues were so well written, they were so humorous, that he lightened up the emotional moments in the end. In fact, Big B instigated the feeling of triumph with his performance.

Drawbacks of Ghoomer

Saiyami Kher’s performance

Saiyami is not bad in the film, but she isn’t very dynamic. Her expressions are the same and her dialogue delivery is very flat throughout the film. While her body language is great, somewhere you don’t connect or feel the pain Anina suffers, and it’s because Saiyami doesn’t strike that chord.

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Plot

While I hailed the story that Balki is telling, the first of the film is a little dry, it’s sharp, but doesn’t grab the emotions it should. The story picks up only in the second half, but getting the audience to feel for Anina takes a lot of time and that only makes the plot seem dragged, even when it’s not.

Conclusion

While Ghoomer is a story that will reignite emotions towards the sport, and make you root for the character’s triumph, a stellar performance by the majority could have really elevated it.

Also Read: Did you know? Amitabh Bachchan was in tears after watching Abhishek Bachchan starrer Ghoomer

Nawaz Kochra

Nawaz Kochra has been an experienced journalist in the entertainment arena for the last 9 years. Worked with the biggest brands in the media fraternity, he now heads the editorial desk at Bollywood Bubble. In addition to that, he even hosts a podcast called, Let’s Talk with Bollywood Bubble. Someone who is calm, yet a firecracker, and holds a balanced opinion about things, Nawaz is strong-headed and determined. He loves films as well as web shows and TV (yes, he is from that generation!), and that’s why writing about them is more of a passion for him than just a job.