MAM
Ghoomer’s inspiring tale enthuses Mumbai deaf women’s cricket team at the PVR screening
Mumbai: Cricket is India’s most popular game; nothing can beat the euphoria of watching our players own the game. The men’s and women’s cricket teams swell our chests with pride. Recently released “Ghoomer” is a poignant tale showcasing the achievements of differently abled athletes in the face of adversity. The plot revolves around Anina (Saiyami Kher), a gifted cricket player whose aspirations are shattered by a life-altering event. Regardless of the setback, Anina remains unyielding, and, with the guidance of her coach Paddy (Abhishek Bachchan), she embarks on a journey to make a comeback. The duo collaborates to create a unique bowling technique, Ghoomer, which becomes the cornerstone of Anina’s triumph. The movie is a potent reminder that no challenge is insurmountable if one has the courage to persevere.
In a remarkable celebration of sporting determination and perseverance, PVR INOX hosted an exclusive screening for the Mumbai Deaf Women’s Cricket Team. The movie stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of athletes who have triumphed over challenges in the realm of sports and served as a true tribute to the real-life sportswomen, who have stood against all odds. The eventful evening witnessed the presence of Abhishek Bachchan and Saiyami Kher, who added an extra layer of excitement for the attendees. The renowned star cast joined the Mumbai Deaf Women’s Cricket team for this special occasion, marking a true fusion of inspiration and recognition, and was amazed by the Team’s determined energy.
The players were captivated by the stellar performances portrayed in the movie and took the opportunity to engage with the star cast in conversations that highlighted the dedication and hard work put into bringing the narrative to life.
Commenting on the overwhelming response received for the film across the country, and during the screening, PVR INOX Ltd co-CEO Gautam Dutta said, “Ghoomer stands as a profoundly moving cinematic piece, a testament to the unwavering commitment, resilience, and unyielding determination in the face of challenges. The narrative not only resonates with those who have triumphed over adversity but also resonates with all those who aspire to excel in the world of sports. It has been a privilege for us to extend our hospitality to the Mumbai Deaf Women’s Cricket team. Much like Anina’s character in the film, these exceptional athletes exemplify breaking boundaries and realizing ambitions. Their genuine appreciation for the film is truly gratifying, and we eagerly anticipate embarking on many more such meaningful initiatives in the times ahead.”
Indian Deaf Cricket Association CEO Roma Balwani commented on the screening and the movie and shared, “Ghoomer is truly an exceptional film, and the thoughtful arrangement of this special evening by PVR INOX has been deeply appreciated by all of us, especially the team. The film possesses an inherent emotional resonance and strikes a chord not only with our women’s cricket team but also with athletes confronting similar challenges. It’s heartening to witness their stories of perseverance, dedication, and innate talent being acknowledged and celebrated. Our appeal is to help create awareness about disability sports & deaf cricket in India which will immensely help gain recognition from the GOI, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports in this category of cricket. We look forward to more support for this worthy cause of providing official recognition for this distinct cricket category.”
Sharing his reflections on the evening, Actor Abhishek Bachchan, who portrays the role of Coach Paddy in the film, expressed, “Meeting these remarkable female athletes, who, much like Anina, have triumphed over adversities to achieve the extraordinary, is an immense privilege. Their genuine appreciation and recognition for Ghoomer hold a special significance. Being a part of this event brings me immense joy. In connecting with the women cricketers of IDCA, I earnestly hope that our film, akin to their journey, serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers and athletes at large. My heartfelt gratitude to PVR INOX for this opportunity.”
MAM
VML India lands two finalist spots at Cairns Hatchlings 2026
The Mumbai agency is back in Australia with two teams, a UN brief and 24 hours to impress
MUMBAI: VML India is heading to Australia again. The Mumbai-based creative agency has secured two finalist spots at the Cairns Hatchlings 2026 competition, one in the Audio category and one in Design, making it the only Indian agency to have reached the finals in both editions of the contest since its launch in 2025.
Four people will make the trip. Senior copywriter Shilpi Dey and senior art director Raj Thakkar will compete in Audio. Art directors Shabbir and Shruti Negi will go head-to-head with the world’s best in Design. The finals take place at the Cairns Convention Centre from 13th May, culminating in an awards ceremony on 15th May.
The work that got them there is worth examining. For the Audio category, Dey and Thakkar tackled a brief for LIVE LIKE MMAD with a campaign called Inner Voice, Interrupted. Using spatial audio techniques, the campaign recreates the overwhelming self-doubt that descends after a long workday, physically panning negative thoughts left and right before cutting the noise entirely to reveal a confident inner voice. Strategically targeted at commuters via Spotify during evening rush hours, the campaign reframes the hours after work as an opportunity for personal growth and charitable action.
For the Design category, Shabbir and Negi worked on a brief for Canteen’s Bandanna Day, a campaign highlighting how cancer pushes teenagers out of their own defining moments. Using a pixelated design language to create stark contrast between a blurred world of isolation and a focused world of connection, the campaign, titled The Flipside of Cancer, shows teenagers fading into the background of birthdays, skateparks and school proms. As a Canteen bandanna appears, the blur flips and the teenager snaps back into sharp focus.
Kalpesh Patankar, group chief creative officer of VML India, made no attempt to disguise his satisfaction. “We are immensely proud to see our teams consistently excel on the Cairns Hatchlings platform since its inception,” he said. “They have masterfully tackled challenging briefs across diverse categories, demonstrating both layered storytelling and a unique creative approach. This exceptional teamwork is truly inspiring.”
Dey and Thakkar, returning to the finals after last year’s run, were candid about the demands of the audio medium. “It’s one of the most demanding mediums, where we only have a few seconds to capture a listener’s world with sound alone, so absolute clarity is essential,” they said. “The true measure of creative work is its ability to create positive change, and our audio submission was made to help those who need it most while encouraging people to silence the inner voices that hold them back.”
Shabbir and Negi, competing in Design for the first time, described the experience as “a completely different beast.” “We see it as an opportunity to showcase our expertise, raise the bar, and challenge ourselves in new ways, while also learning from creative minds from across the globe,” they said.
In Australia, the four finalists will face a live 24-hour brief from the United Nations before presenting in a live pitch session. Twenty-four hours, one brief, one shot. VML India has been here before. It knows exactly what is at stake.
