Alappuzha Gymkhana

Alapuzha Gymkhana: released in 2025 and directed by Khalid Rahman. Fun movie! Naslen is a real natural, his comic reactions are instantaneous. Lukman Avaran has done a great job as the boxing coach. Story is of a group of friends who fails 12th, and decides to learn boxing so they can get in the sports quota. The movie is light and fun, the physical transformation of all actors, Ganapathi, Naslen, Lukman is amazing. Everyone acted brilliantly and naturally. Naslen ultimately understands he's more of a team motivator than a boxer. Ganapathi though he's a brilliant boxer, realizes he needs to work on not letting outside threats get to him. Baby Jean was absolutely cool and fun to watch. And cheruthu.

Alappuzha Gymkhana arrives like a surprise uppercut, smooth in its build-up and explosive in delivery. Director Khalid Rahman crafts a film that blends athletic grit with youthful charm, and the result is a surprisingly entertaining and stylish sports drama that packs in both punches and personality.

Let's start with the casting, absolutely on point. Every character feels like they belong to the world of Gymkhana. There's an authenticity in their performances, and it's crystal clear that the team put in serious off-screen effort, especially in the physically demanding sequences. And boy, does it pay off.

Lukman's entry is nothing short of electric. The pacing of the film suddenly shifts gears the moment he steps in, and from there, the boxing segments become the heartbeat of the movie. His scenes are pure class, intense, calculated, and incredibly engaging. Paired with the BGM that roars through every punch, dodge, and takedown, the boxing sequences achieve a cinematic high. It's no exaggeration to say that the background music is the soul of this movie, not just elevating scenes, but becoming a character in itself. Complete credits go to Vishnu for such an engaging score.

Ganapathi's character truly feels like the hero of the film. With his commanding presence and quiet strength, he anchors the story in a way that draws you in. Speaking of which, while the movie may lack typical "heroic highs" in the early half, Khalid masterfully saves that big punch for the climax, delivering exactly what the audience is waiting for. Though, fair warning, not all jokes land perfectly. A few flat moments break the rhythm, but they're fleeting and forgivable.

Another pleasant surprise is Anagha. She doesn't just appear - she steals the show. Her screen presence and flair light up the film. I just loved watching her moves on ring.

Interestingly, even though Naslen is a fan favorite, he isn't the main focus of the story. Instead, Khalid smartly uses him as the narrator, which brings a fresh touch to the film and allows more attention to be given to the whole group and the world of Gymkhana.

All in all, Alappuzha Gymkhana is a feel-good, festive treat with enough style, sound, and soul to make it one of the finest watches this vishu season. Whether you're here for the action, the style, or just a good cinematic experience, this one's definitely worth a watch.

Peak is an absolute masterpiece. Khalid Rahman's direction was phenomenal-he truly brought the story to life in a way that kept me completely engaged from the very beginning. I was so immersed in the film that I didn't even realize when the first half ended. The pacing was flawless, with no unnecessary lags or dull moments. Every scene had a purpose, and it all flowed so smoothly.

The acting was top-notch across the board. Each and every character felt so authentic and convincing, making it incredibly easy to get emotionally invested in the story. The performances were powerful and natural, and it's clear that the cast gave their absolute best.

What really stood out to me was the perfect blend of genres. The film delivered suspense, comedy, action, and emotion-all executed brilliantly. The action sequences were intense and well-choreographed, while the humor felt fresh and perfectly timed, offering moments of relief without taking away from the tension or seriousness of the story.

There was never a dull moment. Every element, from the cinematography to the background score, worked together seamlessly to elevate the overall experience. This film truly stands apart from others in its genre. It offers something fresh and unique that I haven't seen in a long time.

I genuinely can't wait to watch the second part. The cliffhanger and buildup were done so well that it left me craving more. I would highly recommend this film to anyone who loves cinema-it's an experience you don't want to miss. One of the best films I've watched in recent times.

Alappuzha Gymkhana is simply worth watching. The cinematography in the boxing scenes and fights is superb. The music is good. The entire cast delivered a good performance. The movie starts off at a steady pace in the first hour and then becomes entertaining and engaging. The pre-climax and climax are peak moments. It's a comedy-sports movie, and the director has done a great job, reminiscent of Thallumala.

If you enjoyed Thallumala, you might appreciate this film's similar vibe.

Plot :: Jojo Johnson, David "DJ" John, Shifas "Valthu" Ahammed, Shifas "Cherthu" Ali, and Shanavas are five friends from Alappuzha who have just completed their 12th-grade board exams. While Shanavas passes, the rest of the group fails, leaving their prospects of college admission uncertain.

Initially, I was a bit disappointed that a Telugu dub wasn't available, finding only Malayalam and Tamil audio options. However, undeterred, I booked my ticket at Lulu Mall in Hyderabad, relying on my limited Malayalam knowledge. To my pleasant surprise, English subtitles were available, which I was very grateful for.

As for the movie itself, it offers a smooth and engaging screenplay filled with casual, relatable comedy, much like observing the everyday lives of teenagers. The addition of boxing as a central element was a fantastic choice. While I might have been okay with seeing untrained actors portray boxers, I was impressed to see that the entire cast was clearly well-trained in the sport, evident in their stances. Even Nelson's surprising six-pack added to the authenticity.

I particularly feel that Anagha Ravi deserves a full-fledged sports drama centered around boxing, a sentiment reinforced by the recently released video song.

The cinematography is truly outstanding. Capturing boxing scenes effectively is a challenging task with a high risk of failure, but the filmmakers absolutely nailed it. Some shots were reminiscent of Hollywood-level production, and I was particularly satisfied with the boxing visuals, especially after watching "Sarpatta."

Regarding the music, I enjoyed the trailer's background score and had already listened to three great songs on music streaming apps. The background music in the theater was also good, although I feel it would be best appreciated in a home theater setup or with quality earphones at home.

The screenplay is consistently smooth, and the story stands out for not being a typical, predictable boxing drama. This is where the movie's magic lies - it strikes a perfect balance, neither too intense nor too light.

I especially appreciated the climax. Just as I thought the movie was concluding, an interesting scene unfolded with a large group of boys, which I wasn't expecting. It was a great way to end the film.

Overall, this movie offers a refreshing and well-executed take on teenage life blended with the exciting world of boxing. It's definitely worth watching.