Saiyami Kher: The Ghoomer Girl

How the passion for cricket landed Saiyami Kher a role of a lifetime

- Lubna Salim

Ghoomer, R Balki's latest movie is made extra-memorable by Saiyami Kher's flawless performance as Anini-a flawless batter, who just before her first match as part of team India, meets with a freak accident and has her right arm amputated. The movie follows her resilient journey as she gives life and cricket a second chance, and returns to the pitch as a left-handed spinner with a unique action, the 'Ghoomer'.

It is not an easy act and the dialogues, which can often be used as a crutch, are sparse. But Saiyami shines in every frame. What is more commendable than her nuanced acting is the physical training that has gone into playing an amputee sportsperson.

"When I was training before shooting started, left-arm spinner Murali Kartik would come for three-four days to check how I was doing technically. Besides cricket, I also had to get that 'Ghoomer' action or the new style of spinning the ball right, which was very tough to master," says Saiyami. But that was not all. She also had to undergo more training that was needed to be carried out only with one hand. "Playing cricket with your left hand is one thing and playing it with just one hand is another challenge as my right hand used to be tied up for nearly nine to 10 hours a day while shooting," says the actor.