THOSE who have seen previous films of writer/director R Balki will know he always puts a unique spin on Bollywood stories, with films like Cheeni Kum, Paa and Shamitabh.
The maverick filmmaker has done the same with perhaps the most unique sports drama ever made in Hindi cinema.
Talented young sportswoman Anina (Saiyami Kher) dreams of playing for the Indian cricket team and gets selected as a batter, but then through a series of unfortunate circumstances, she has an accident and loses an arm. The devastated young woman then finds hope from an alcoholic, failed former player Paddy (Abhishek Bachchan), who hatches a plan to train her as a world-class bowler. After reconciling with Paddy being partly responsible for her accident, Anina goes on an incredible journey to play for the national team.
The idea of getting a disabled woman to train for an able-bodied cricket team is one of the most progressive themes to have appeared in a Hindi film in recent years.
The engrossing story has a uniqueness to keep audiences engaged until the emotion filled finale. A career-best performance from Saiyami Kher sees her convincingly portray a determined young woman coming back from the brink.
She shows deep emotion, a great physical presence and versatility in the multi-layered role. Abhishek Bachchan delivers a powerful turn in a role that enables him to show off his range as an actor, as he brilliantly portrays an unlikeable man, who eventually makes a positive difference.
What prevents the original story from reaching greater heights is writing that becomes predictable and at times over emotional. More believability could have been added with some simple changes and the music should have been better. That doesn’t stop Ghoomer from being a film that deserves to be applauded for being brave enough to do things differently.
From timeless icons to new-gen stars, Bollywood’s finest come together for a historic UK tour
Bollywood megastar and timeless dancing queen returns to captivate British audiencesGetty Images 
Maid - Alex scrubs her way to survival one heart-breaking shift at a time 
I Am Not Okay With This - High school rage and telekinetic chaos, Sydney didn’t come to play
Terra Nova - Time-traveling to the past never looked this dino-dramatic
Firefly—too cool for space, too good for this world
Freaks and Geeks - Teen angst, flannel shirts, and the birth of comedy legends
Nick and Priyanka enjoy a quiet family momentInstagram/PriyankaChopra
Chirag Rao brings the magic of Bollywood hits to life with a jazz twist in his upcoming Bollywood Bratpack concert
Nazeem Hussain prepares to bring his unique comedic style to Leicester Square Theatre for his highly anticipated You Paid For This show
Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins: Despite a star-studded cast, this Netflix release is shaping up to be another disappointing addition to the streaming platform
Isabelle Kaif’s journey in Bollywood continues to be plagued by setbacks, with her upcoming film Suswagatam Khushamadeed facing an uncertain future
Abir Gulaal brings together Fawad Khan and Vaani Kapoor in a cross-border romantic comedy, offering a refreshing message of love and unity
Manoj Kumar, a true Bollywood legend, leaves behind a legacy of iconic films that celebrated patriotism and meaningful storytelling
Manoj Kumar’s legacy in Bollywood is defined by his iconic roles and patriotic cinema that resonated deeply with audiences for generations
Ranjeet reflects on his legendary Bollywood career, sharing intriguing behind-the-scenes tales from his iconic villain roles in an exclusive interview
Ambika Mod takes centre stage in Porn Play, an intriguing and thought-provoking production at the Royal Court, expected to be one of the year's most in-demand theatre events
Emraan Hashmi hopes for a career revival with a sequel to Awarapan, but his recent track record leaves many confused about his comeback