Review: Alappuzha Gymkhana: Simple But Enjoyable

 

 

Movie: Alappuzga Gymkhana
Rating: 3/5

Cast: Naslen, Baby Jean, Sandeep Pradeep, Shiva Hariharan, Shon Joy, Ganapathi, Karthik, Franco Francis, Anagha Maya Ravi, Lukman Avaran and Others

Director: Khalid Rahman

Produced By: Plan B Motion Pictures, Reelistic Studios

Release Date: April 10, 2025

Story:

Jojo (Naslen), Shifas Ahmed (Sandeep Pradeep), Shifas Ali (Franco Francis), DJ (Baby Jean), and Shanavas (Shiva Hariharan) are all eager to enter college through the sports quota as they fail to clear the exams. Jojo, their unofficial leader, believes that boxing is the most effective way to achieve this goal. The rest of the story is how Jojo and gang try to learn boxing and what they discover in this process.

Performances:

Naslen as Jojo Thomas, the leader of a teenagers' gang, delivers a convincing performance. The movie, however, shows all the characters as important as its lead. Baby Jean, Sandeep Pradeep, Shiva Hariharan, Shon Joy, Ganapathi, Karthik, Franco Francis, Anagha Maya Ravi, and Lukman Avaran—all of them are crucial for the film, and they have their moments to shine.

What worked for the film:

The film is filled with layers of humor, featuring jokes nested within jokes and more jokes connected like a crowded bus with one last passenger hanging on. The best part is that the jokes come together perfectly. The random humor, visual gags, and pure absurdity are the USP of the film. Additionally, it succeeds in being an excellent boxing movie, as the events/matches are shown authentically. The climax fight's design is applaudable, and the music (mostly acts as a background score) works well for the movie.

What did not work for the film:

The film maintains a lighthearted tone, and while it revolves around boxing, it lacks the typical highs and lows that the players face and the stirring speeches that usually draw viewers in emotionally. It’s evident that the film aims to be different from a standard sports drama, yet there are moments where the director could have enhanced the emotional impact. The screenplay tends to loosen up sometimes, and there are a few repetitive parts where the hero and gang make fun of themselves, which lessens the humor quotient.

Alappuzha Gymkhana Review and Verdict:

Khalid Rahman's Alappuzha Gymkhana is enjoyable. It is a unique sports drama infused with comedy. A lively vibe prevails throughout the film, though some moments feel off. Naslen and the cast showcase convincing performances.