Ghoomer: A Tale of Overcoming Obstacles

You don't have to be an expert cricket player to enjoy a movie like Ghoomer, just like Shabana Azmi, according to director R. Balki, who developed the screenplay especially for Abhishek Bachchan and Saiyami Kher. Balki describes the difficulties he faced in order to bring this uplifting narrative to life, with Ghoomer now available on ZEE5.

What gave you the idea to create Ghoomer?

R. Balki: Ghoomer isn't a movie about disabled cricket players. It's a movie about how, when faced with obstacles in life, you must develop and devise the most creative strategies to overcome them and emerge victorious.

It is quite OK if you are unfamiliar with cricket as a game; I believe that fans of all sports will find this movie entertaining. You will appreciate the movie for the acting, the human struggles it depicts, and the tenacity, inspiration, and support the characters show.

I don't intentionally aim to explore topics of diversity or inclusiveness in my works. I want to tell a narrative, which is why I produce films. Yes, in the process, I come up with inclusive characters. That, I believe, is only a component of my character analysis. I don't intentionally try to accomplish that.

Could you talk about any standout experiences or difficulties you had while making the film?

R. Balki: Playing among professional cricketers, many of whom were at the national level, and having her hand tied up while trying to bowl with her left arm—an abnormality—was an enormous task for Saiyami Kher. The main task was to create a synchronized motion that looked real. It was very amazing to see. Her steadfast commitment, talent, and intense passion for the game were, in my opinion, the most impressive aspects of the movie.

Could you discuss the movie's casting?

R. Balki: Abhishek Bachchan and Saiyami Kher were the intended audience for this movie. Without Saiyami, who is an amazing performer in addition to being a great athlete, it would not have been feasible. There may only be one person in Bollywood with this unusual blend of skills, in my opinion. My one and only option was Saiyami, and I had no doubts about the sincerity and power of her performance. She was the greatest because, in addition to being a talented performer, she was also a cricket player. She trained for days on end to perfect a bowling motion that had never been seen in cricket.

Ghoomer is different from previous cricket movies since it doesn't recycle clichés about cricket bats and cricket matches.

And Abhishek Bachchan, of course, because a lot of his life is reflected in the movie. It conveys his depth and the intense sorrow he bears, which he can communicate effortlessly due to his sense of humor. He is the only one who can face the difficulties in his own life with a grin and a sense of humor. So, despite their own inner anguish and sorrow, the character in the movie needed to be able to offer so much to someone else. I think the main character in this movie is Abhishek. It was amazing what he brought to the table and how he represented being an alcoholic. He once informed me that when they have an alcohol urge, they usually act unpredictable, much as most alcoholics do. Instead of slurring like a usual drunk, he played it quite coolly. He gave it a strong performance. Naturally, I may have already expressed this, but my ambition has always been to have Amitabh Bachchan commentate. His voice makes it easy for me to imagine him in the commentary box.

What an actor Shabana Azmi is! She has no knowledge whatsoever about cricket. She feigned, however, and after learning a lot about the game from the movie, she became enamored with it and watched every game. It was pretty lovely how well she could pretend to be an expert at the game.

It was an honor to work with the best left-arm spinner in the world, Bishan Singh Bedi, and Angad Bedi made it possible. When we went to shoot with him, it was an incredible experience. Despite being in a wheelchair, he was totally aware of everything and responded, "Yeah, yeah, yeah," to the camera. It was amazing to hear him express his affection for Tiger Pataudi. When it comes to Shivi, for instance, I refer to him as "Mr. Cinema" as he is conserving the majority of the beloved films. His performance, both on his debut and naturally, was amazing.

Ivanka Das's character was, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating parts of the narrative. She had a sex change and is now a female after previously being a guy. It was amazing to see her change and how she interacted with Abhishek's persona. She is simply another person to Abhishek. He's handled it well, and having someone stand in for him is beneficial. I thought it fascinating to examine and portray their connection.

The visuals of Ghoomer's cricket sequences are amazing. What steps were taken to create those scenes?

R. Balki: The reason the cricket sequences in the movie are so beautiful to look at is because we filmed the game the same manner that it is shown on television on a daily basis. But we went a step farther and used a professional team with an 18-camera setup. We made sure that every shot, including Saiyami bowling with her arm whirling around, was authentic, rather than cutting from one stroke to the ball reaching the boundary. In one shot, she is bowling a Yorker in one take. The sequences with the insect are quite visually striking since we never edited them. After the footage was edited, we even inserted the audience, so every crowd response in every frame seemed real and authentic.

Ghoomer emphasizes the importance of following aspirations, having family support, and overcoming difficulties. How did you handle these topics to make sure the audience connected with them?

R. Balki: In my opinion, a person who has a really difficult circumstance or poor luck needs the help of their family, their partner—Angad—as well as the family members—Shabana, Shivi, and her brothers—played by them. Because we already have enough hardship in our own lives from what fate has thrown at us, everyone is pulling for her.

As a result, I think that family support is crucial for someone who is trying to overcome obstacles to become a champion. I've always thought that everyone in a relationship wants assistance like this. It's all about hoping, "Oh God, I wish I had a family like this," when you see a movie. I wish I had this kind of support. This is the kind of grandma I wish I had. Shabana is the most important character because, while unusual in our nation, having a grandma who is obsessed with cricket is not unheard of.

What sets Ghoomer apart from every other sports-themed film out there?

Balki, R.: Making a movie like Ghoomer, in my opinion, is about telling a very moving story rather than simply making another sports movie. It's all about the difficulties and inventiveness involved. It's about not thinking about the impossibility and refraining from declaring, "I can't do it." Ghoomer, in my opinion, is different from other sports movies since it doesn't just show another game; instead, it advances the sport by revealing something fresh that has never been seen before. Ghoomer is a tale of almost impossible accomplishments and conquering obstacles in life, much more than only cricket.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.