Alappuzha Gymkhana Movie Review: A Raw, Ringside Glimpse into Youth, Grit and Growing Up
Alappuzha Gymkhana Movie Review: Critics Rating: 3.5 stars, click to give your rating/review,Flunked exams? No problem. Jojo and gang think boxing and grace marks are their ticket out. But the
Critic's Rating: 3.5/5
In a cinematic space where sports dramas often revolve around glory and grand victories, Alappuzha Jimkhana takes an unusual detour. Khalid Rahman, known for the vibrant chaos of Thallumaala, this time trades in the colourful spectacle for a more grounded narrative, a coming-of-age tale wrapped in sweat, struggle, and the salt-soaked air of Alappuzha.
The film follows Jojo (Naslen), a plus-two failure who, along with his ragtag gang, believes that boxing and its grace marks might be the shortcut to an academic escape. But the ring, as they soon discover, isn’t just a place to throw punches, it becomes a metaphor for life, self-worth, and confrontation with reality.
Rahman's treatment of the genre is refreshingly linear. There’s no great sports victory or underdog hero moment here. Instead, Alappuzha Jimkhana explores the nuanced journey of finding inner strength, whether you're short, sidelined, or simply searching for purpose. The film subtly interrogates gender roles, the fragile masculinity of youth, and the emerging voices of young women in male-dominated spaces, making Natasha (Anagha Ravi) an unexpected anchor in the narrative.
Set against the backdrop of an old-school gymkhana, the characters drift in and out of focus like stories on an Instagram reel, fleeting but impactful. The plot unfolds more like a series of moments than a tightly woven tale, echoing the present generation’s obsession with instant gratification, peripheral emotions, and fractured identities. While this narrative looseness may not sit well with traditional storytelling purists, it does mirror the existential chaos of contemporary youth.
Technically, the film is a treat. The audiography, raw, immersive, and at times overwhelming, places us right in the middle of sweaty gyms and crowded streets. The stunt choreography is electric, making the boxing sequences feel visceral and alive. Songs are rooted, catchy, and carry a local flavour that adds charm without overpowering.
The performances are uniformly stellar. Naslen brings a restless energy to Jojo, part clueless, part charming, all heart. Lukman as Antony Joshuva is a quiet storm, carrying his role with understated brilliance. Baby Jean’s David John is endearing, while Anagha Ravi's Natasha has quiet confidence and surprising grit.
Alappuzha Jimkhana may not offer the highs of Thallumaala, nor does it aim to. This is a slice-of-life narrative about kids who dream in fragments and grow up learning that sometimes the greatest win is just to stay on your feet.
More than a sports drama, it’s a ringside seat to youth, chaos, and coming of age. Messy, minimal, but meaningful.
Review by-
Anjana George
The film follows Jojo (Naslen), a plus-two failure who, along with his ragtag gang, believes that boxing and its grace marks might be the shortcut to an academic escape. But the ring, as they soon discover, isn’t just a place to throw punches, it becomes a metaphor for life, self-worth, and confrontation with reality.
Rahman's treatment of the genre is refreshingly linear. There’s no great sports victory or underdog hero moment here. Instead, Alappuzha Jimkhana explores the nuanced journey of finding inner strength, whether you're short, sidelined, or simply searching for purpose. The film subtly interrogates gender roles, the fragile masculinity of youth, and the emerging voices of young women in male-dominated spaces, making Natasha (Anagha Ravi) an unexpected anchor in the narrative.
Set against the backdrop of an old-school gymkhana, the characters drift in and out of focus like stories on an Instagram reel, fleeting but impactful. The plot unfolds more like a series of moments than a tightly woven tale, echoing the present generation’s obsession with instant gratification, peripheral emotions, and fractured identities. While this narrative looseness may not sit well with traditional storytelling purists, it does mirror the existential chaos of contemporary youth.
Technically, the film is a treat. The audiography, raw, immersive, and at times overwhelming, places us right in the middle of sweaty gyms and crowded streets. The stunt choreography is electric, making the boxing sequences feel visceral and alive. Songs are rooted, catchy, and carry a local flavour that adds charm without overpowering.
The performances are uniformly stellar. Naslen brings a restless energy to Jojo, part clueless, part charming, all heart. Lukman as Antony Joshuva is a quiet storm, carrying his role with understated brilliance. Baby Jean’s David John is endearing, while Anagha Ravi's Natasha has quiet confidence and surprising grit.
Alappuzha Jimkhana may not offer the highs of Thallumaala, nor does it aim to. This is a slice-of-life narrative about kids who dream in fragments and grow up learning that sometimes the greatest win is just to stay on your feet.
More than a sports drama, it’s a ringside seat to youth, chaos, and coming of age. Messy, minimal, but meaningful.
Review by-
Anjana George
