Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

'Ghoomer' a unique story, not just another film on cricket: R Balki

Known for films such as “Cheeni Kum”, “Ki and Ka” and “Pad Man”, Balki is directing and producing “Ghoomer”. The movie features Shabana Azmi, Abhishek Bachchan, Saiyami Kher and Angad Bedi in pivotal roles.

'Ghoomer' a unique story, not just another film on cricket: R Balki

Describing "Ghoomer" as a unique cricket movie, filmmaker R Balki says his next directorial venture is his way of giving back to the sport.

Known for films such as "Cheeni Kum", "Ki and Ka" and "Pad Man", Balki is directing and producing "Ghoomer". The movie features Shabana Azmi, Abhishek Bachchan, Saiyami Kher and Angad Bedi in pivotal roles.


The story, which he co-wrote with Rahul Sengupta and Rishi Virmani, is inspired by the story of Karoly Takacs, the late Hungarian right-hand shooter who won two Olympic gold medals with his left hand after his other hand was seriously injured.

"'Ghoomer is a unique story'. It's almost like inventing a new ball in cricket. It is a story of a girl, a cricketer, who loses her hand and how a person inspires her to become a champion," Balki told PTI here on the sidelines of the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

According to the director, the team spent a lot of time developing a new style of bowling, something the sport has not seen.

"To me, the trip on 'Ghoomer' was to discover something new in sports. We have seen so many films on cricket. Nobody wants to see another cricket film.

"If I'm doing (just) a cricket film, what would I give back to cricket or the sport? We did a lot of research and actually came up with a new delivery, which cricket has not seen... So, that's interesting," he added.

Balki also revealed that Sengupta had pitched the idea of the movie to him long ago. After a few discussions, they eventually decided to choose cricket as the central theme over shooting.

"Rahul had an idea about this... based on the Hungarian shooter. I suggested let's make it a cricket film rather than a shooting film as people will take a lot of time to understand (the sport)." The filmmaker has already completed the filming of "Ghoomer", which is currently in the editing stage. The makers are planning to release it in theatres sometime in March next year, he added.

Balki, whose last release was thriller "Chup: Revenge of the Artist", said working on "Ghoomer" was a taxing process as it usually takes him some time to move from one project to another.

"Filmmaking is a laborious process... I admire people who deliver a film every six months. For the first time in my life, I have done back-to-back movies. 'Chup' and then 'Ghoomer', because of the pandemic. I'm already feeling I have done 10 films.

"It has to do with being able to switch off and switch on. For me, it takes a long time to get out of a film. The thought of it or the feeling of it.

"I'm still in the zone of 'Chup' and I'm already doing 'Ghoomer'. It becomes complicated because the last one was a suspense thriller and this is completely opposite -- a lovely feel good film," he said.

"Ghoomer" also features Shivendra Singh Dungarpur and Ivanka Das.

(PTI)

More For You

bella thorne Charlie Puth

Bella Thorne says Charlie Puth launched a hate train after she refused to sleep with him

Getty Images

Bella Thorne says Charlie Puth launched a hate train after she refused to sleep with him

Highlights:

  • Bella Thorne accuses Charlie Puth of sparking a ‘hate train’ after she turned him down.
  • She claims he publicly misled fans about their brief romance in 2016.
  • Puth had previously implied she cheated on her ex Tyler Posey with him.
  • Thorne is now engaged to Mark Emms; Puth married Brooke Sansone in 2024.

Actor Bella Thorne has reignited a years-old controversy with singer Charlie Puth, accusing him of turning public opinion against her in 2016 after she refused to sleep with him. The former Disney star made the claims in an Instagram comment responding to singer Jade Thirlwall’s recent remarks about never wanting to work with Puth.

 bella thorne Charlie Puth Actress Bella Thorne and Charlie Puth attend the Y100's Jingle Ball 2016Getty Images

Keep ReadingShow less
Kendrick Lamar and SZA

Kendrick Lamar and SZA thrill Birmingham crowd with high-energy Grand National Tour show

Kendrick Lamar and SZA light up Birmingham with a dazzling Grand National Tour stop

Highlights:

  • Kendrick Lamar and SZA brought their record-breaking Grand National Tour to Birmingham’s Villa Park on Thursday night.
  • The three-hour set featured solo performances, visual spectacles, and crowd-favourite duets like All the Stars and Gloria.
  • Kendrick arrived on stage in his signature GNX, delivering fiery performances from To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN., and his latest album GNX.
  • SZA stunned with hits from CTRL and SOS, transforming the stage into a fantasy landscape with high-energy vocals and choreography.

Two of the biggest names in rap and R&B, Kendrick Lamar and SZA, brought their much-anticipated Grand National Tour to Birmingham’s Villa Park on Thursday night, turning the historic stadium into a special musical experience. The pair, who previously wowed the world during this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, performed a mix of solo tracks and duets across a three-hour set that left fans exhilarated.

The Grand National Tour, which has already broken records as the highest-grossing co-headline tour in history, continued its momentum in the UK. Following performances in Glasgow, Kendrick and SZA proved once again why they remain at the forefront of global music.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kapil Sharma

Kapil Sharma’s Canada cafe shot at days after opening

Instagram/ginnichatrath

Kapil Sharma’s Canadian café targeted in shooting, Khalistani terrorist cites mockery of Nihang Sikhs as motive

Highlights:

  • Shots were fired at Kap’s Café in Surrey, Canada, owned by comedian Kapil Sharma, just days after its opening.
  • Khalistani extremist Harjit Singh Laddi, linked to banned group BKI, claimed responsibility.
  • The motive cited was an old comedy segment from The Kapil Sharma Show that allegedly mocked Nihang Sikhs.
  • No injuries were reported; Canadian authorities are investigating the incident.

Comedian Kapil Sharma’s recently launched Kap’s Café in Surrey, British Columbia, was the target of a shooting in the early hours of 10 July. Though no one was harmed, the property sustained significant damage. A known Khalistani extremist, Harjit Singh Laddi, has claimed responsibility for the attack, citing perceived religious disrespect on The Kapil Sharma Show.

 Kap\u2019s Cafe in Surrey  Kap’s Cafe in Surrey was struck by gunfire late at night with staff still insideInstagram/thekapscafe_

Keep ReadingShow less
Charithra Chandran Wimbledon

Chandran wore lambskin shorts and a green cashmere sweater for her Wimbledon appearance

Instagram/charithra17/Twitter/charithra files

Charithra Chandran brings ‘Bridgerton’ elegance to Wimbledon in timeless Ralph Lauren look

Highlights:

  • Charithra Chandran attended Wimbledon as a Ralph Lauren ambassador, turning heads in a vintage-inspired ensemble.
  • Her look echoed Bridgerton character Edwina Sharma, with soft curls and a classic summer palette.
  • Fans online praised her poise and outfit, with many saying she outshone stars like Andrew Garfield.
  • The actress wore a green cashmere sweater, tailored lambskin shorts and white Nappa pumps.

Charithra Chandran’s Wimbledon appearance might have been behind Hollywood stars Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro, but her crisp summer ensemble made sure all eyes found her. Dressed head-to-toe in Ralph Lauren, the British-Indian actress brought understated elegance and old-school charm to Centre Court, and social media took notice.

 Charithra Chandran Wimbledon Charithra Chandran styled her hair in soft curls for the Ralph Lauren outfitInstagram/charithra17/

Keep ReadingShow less
Superman immigrant storyline

Poster of the upcoming Superman film releasing on July 11

Instagram/superman

‘Superman’ movie faces backlash over immigrant storyline in James Gunn reboot

Highlights:

 
     
  • James Gunn’s Superman reimagines the hero as a symbol of the immigrant experience.
  •  
  • Former Superman actor Dean Cain and conservative commentators criticise the film as "too woke."
  •  
  • Cain argues that Hollywood is rewriting classic characters to fit modern political agendas.
  •  
  • Gunn defends his interpretation, saying the story champions kindness and inclusion.
  •  
 

James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman has already been caught in a political storm. The director’s depiction of the Man of Steel as a metaphor for the immigrant experience has drawn criticism from right-wing voices, who accuse Hollywood of turning the iconic superhero into a tool for political messaging.

 Superman 2025 New ‘Superman’ movie sparks backlash for portraying hero as immigrant symbol Instagram/superman/reald3d

Keep ReadingShow less