Loosely based on Hungarian Olympian Karoly Takacs, R Balki’s Ghoomer traces the struggles and journey of a cricketer who meets an accident right before her big break and manages to train herself to get an entry in the Indian team. Saiyami Kher plays the lead role of the cricketer who loses her right hand in the accident in the film while Angad Bedi essays the role of her lover. In an exclusive interview, the actors talk about the film, their preparation and much more.
How Ghoomer began for them
Kher reveals that Balki saw her playing cricket several years ago and approached her when he came up with the idea of Ghoomer. “He saw me playing cricketer many years ago and came up to me with this idea. I did not believe him when he told me he wants to make the film with me. A few years went by and I thought he must have asked me just for the sake of it. Then Abhishek Bachchan came onboard and things fell into place. That is when I realized it is actually happening and could not contain my excitement. The nervousness set in then.”
Bedi adds that he first met the director in a restaurant where the latter asked him to visit his office, but the actor was not sure. “I did not take him seriously. He then called me up and said ‘show up right now’, which I did. I found the subject heartfelt and beautiful. I have done a lot of intense roles. I am also a strong believer of romance. When I heard how my character is going to play out, I found it wonderful. Balki said my character needs to look up to the protagonist and be her best support system. Selfishly, I wanted people to see me like that. Watching the film, I feel very proud.”
He adds, “I asked Balki sir why he cast me for the role and he said ‘it is the selfless energy you carry right now. Maybe because you are married, and have kids. Do not think about your looks, just think for her’. That was a beautiful way to explain my role and that is the instinct I poured out there in the film.”
Being a passionate and regular cricketer, Kher says she did not have to prepare much for the game, as much as she had to practice doing that with just one hand. “The real preparation was playing cricket with just the left hand. In fact, doing almost everything with just the left hand.”
Recalling that she spent a lot of time with paraathetes to understand their way of life, the Mirzya star also says, “The emotional and mental turmoil was way more exhausting. I tried to understand what they (paraathletes) have gone through. I also spent time with Indian paraathelete Ekta Bhayan. Of course, Balki’s sir work guided me a lot.”
Most-demanding film
Kher also calls Ghoomer her most-demanding film. “This has been the most demanding film I have done. Of course physically, but also emotionally and psychologically. I never understood that feeling of taking a character home but this film did it for me. It is certainly one of the most challenging films I have done.”
Bedi, who has played cricket professionally, says it was difficult for him to behave as if he had no clue about the game. “As an athlete and someone who knows the game, it was very tough to not pick up the bat or ball. There is a certain body language of a sportperson. To be there and to just behave like an average watcher of the game and not really understand it. That was difficult, that was tricky and to layer and give all to a supporting character is not easy thing.”
Playing the suporting character
His character does not have much of an arc except for his support and love for the lead – Kher’s character. Did it feel limiting at all? “Limiting? I would say it is a beautiful emotion – to be there for someone, in good as well as bad times. It becomes much more beautiful when a man does it. There has been idol worship of heroes, not just in cinema but also sports. Everytime somebody goes through journey and achieves success, there is someone behind them and supporting them. A person who has sacrificed a lot,” says Bedi.
“My character is a very successful person but when it comes to her (lead character), he cannot see anyone else. It is a very different emotion – to love a differently-abled person. He is also supposed to carry this guilt that it could have happened because of him. His love is pure, he’d do anything for her. When men put women in the front, they start looking very beautiful. I have seen it all in my house. My father was a successful man and I saw how my mom sacrificed a lot for his journey and success. It was not an easy journey for her. Even now, he went through health issues and my mother was just there for him, like a rock. My character does the same,” he concludes.
(This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.)
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