Director R Balki takes the theatres with Ghoomer, a sentimental sports drama that welds together the pull of cricket with an inspiring tale about human resilience. The movie offers a moving ride as it follows the gripping story of Anina Dixit, a young cricketer whose life takes a surprising turn.

Anina Dixit is Saiyami Kher, a brilliant young cricketer who aspires to play in the international arena. Anina's hopes are shattered after losing her right hand in an unfortunate freak accident, and she fights hard to rebuild her life. But destiny has other plans for Anina when she comes across Padam "Paddy" Singh Sodhi, Abhishek Bachchan's Paddy, played with such eccentricity and conviction that he guides Anina through this movie. Paddy is an ex-cricket player turned alcoholic who becomes Anina's unlikely mentor through one of the most remarkable transformations one can imagine as he guides her through this movie.

The movie is a beautiful tribute to the transition Anina goes through from a devastated young woman into a determined left-armer's spinner, taking every challenge on her way to reclaiming her rightful place on the cricket field. "Ghoomer" owes its inspiration to the Hungarian shooter Károly Takács, who won Olympic gold despite having a seriously injured hand and brought back glory for his country.

R. Balki's beautiful direction makes sure that "Ghoomer" never forgets about celebrating the indomitable human spirit. The film tactfully walks a fine line between emotional moments and moments of humour without compromising its engrossing nature. Abhishek Bachchan and Saiyami Kher prove quite believable together in their mentor-mentee relationship with each other.

The performances in "Ghoomer" are brilliant. Abhishek Bachchan shows a sea of realism as Paddy, whereas Saiyami Kher captures the spirit of Anina to communicate the essence of her character's grit and transformation. Shabana Azmi, among others, adds resonance.

Though "Ghoomer" makes an inspiring and powerful story, at times it drags into predictable tracks when it comes to cricket matches, though the fact behind this remains strong and resonates soundly.

"Ghoomer" is an exhilarating cinematic experience about capturing the essence of human resilience through the prism of cricket. R. Balki's direction, coupled with outstanding performances, makes this inspiring tale come alive on screen. Whether you are a cricket buff or just want to see yourself in a heartwarming story about triumphs, watch "Ghoomer- it leaves you inspired and charged up.

Verdict: An inspirational cricket tale that bowls you over with its triumphant spirit and heartfelt performances.

Rating : 4/ 5