Not your average underdog tale: 'Alappuzha Gymkhana' swings differently | Movie Review

Sports films have a loyal following, and a massive one at that. Typically packed with intensity, grit, and high-stakes drama, they often follow a familiar arc. But what happens when you throw in a dose of humour, youthful charm, and the unmistakable vibe of Kerala’s next-gen? You get 'Alappuzha Gymkhana'.

Directed by Khalid Rahman and headlined by Naslen, the film follows the story of Jojo Johnson, a youngster who, along with his gang of friends, takes up boxing with a simple goal: to land a college seat through the sports quota. What starts as a shortcut soon turns into something more.

One of the highlights is the physical transformation of the cast; each actor has visibly put in the work, and it pays off on screen. But what truly sets 'Alappuzha Gymkhana' apart is its approach.

This isn’t your typical underdog sports drama. It’s not about losing, failing, and crawling back to glory. It’s about falling into a sport by chance, getting hooked, and letting it take over your life in the most unexpected ways.

Jojo and his gang, Shifas Ahammed (Sandeep Pradeep), David John (Baby Jean), Deepak (Ganapathi), Shanavas (Shiva Hariharan), and others, aren’t your typical sports buffs or rising icons. Most of them are complete amateurs. But that’s exactly what makes 'Alappuzha Gymkhana' click. Their journey is laced with humour, their innocence is disarming, and their cluelessness makes them instantly relatable. Even viewers who know little to nothing about boxing will find themselves rooting for this bunch.

The first half of the explores how these boys stumble into boxing, how their training begins, and the chaos that follows. Their coach, Antony Joshua (played by Lukman), is far from the stereotypical hard-nosed mentor. He’s a boxer himself, strict, yes, but not in the way sports films usually portray. He’s focused, intense, and quietly wrestling with his own challenges.

It’s the second half of 'Alappuzha Gymkhana' that brings the whistles and claps, packed with a series of boxing matches that are clearly designed for the big screen experience. The momentum picks up, and the energy is high. However, the film slightly misses a beat in its approach to the genre’s usual staples. Unlike most sports dramas, you won’t find intense training montages or gritty coaching sequences here. Instead, the narrative leaps straight into match after match, skipping the expected build-up.

But what keeps the film afloat and entertaining is Naslen and his co-stars’ effortless charm. Their laid-back energy and quirky camaraderie become the film’s pulse, steering it through even the uneven stretches.

When it comes to performances, Naslen is in familiar territory, effortlessly funny, charming, and physically convincing as a boxer. He carries the role with ease. Shifas Ahammed, Franco Francis, Baby Jean, and Ganapathi all hold their ground well, each bringing a distinct presence to the gang. The film features three female leads: Anagha Ravi stands out as a boxer with a cool swag, while Nanda Nishanth and Noila Francy bring their charm to the screen, though their roles are relatively limited in scope.

One thing is clear: Khalid Rahman never set out to make a typical underdog sports drama. 'Alappuzha Gymkhana' isn’t a hero-driven story, and that’s intentional. Instead, he leans into a blend of comedy and sport, managing to strike a balance that feels refreshing rather than jarring. However, the plot does wobble in places. In most sports films, you’d expect antagonists who push the protagonist forward, the classic ‘villains’ who exist to challenge or provoke. Here, those characters feel half-baked, inserted merely to serve that one function, without much depth or impact. Nevertheless, the movie is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser in theatres, offering plenty of fun for anyone looking to unwind. It seamlessly blends the essential elements of a solid sports drama with moments that will have you cheering and hooting along.