Alappuzha Gymkhana Malayalam Movie

Alappuzha Gymkhana is a 2025 Indian movie directed by Khalid Rahman starring Naslen, Ganapathi S Poduwal, Lukman and Sandeep Pradeep. The feature film is produced by Khalid Rahman, Jobin George, Sameer Karat and Subeesh Kannancheri and the music composed by Vishnu Vijayan.

PLOT:

A 19-year-old battling an identity crisis and tangled love triangles stumbles into the state boxing championship for grace marks. Under Joshuas tough training, Jojo and his misfit classmates transform from rookies to real contenders. As the tournament nears, they face fierce rivals and their own insecurities in this heartwarming sports comedy of laughter, bruises, and self-discovery.

Where To Watch:
In Theaters: INDIA  

Language: Malayalam
Director: Khalid Rahman

VIDEOS:

CRITICAL RESPONSE

Alappuzha Gymkhana emerges as a refreshing and unconventional sports drama that breaks away from the genre’s usual tropes. Directed by Khalid Rahman and headlined by Naslen, the film is praised for its light tone, youthful energy, and genre-subverting narrative. Multiple critics commend its grounded storytelling, charming ensemble cast, and the way it highlights failure and resilience over glorified victory. Baradwaj Rangan describes it as a "lightweight, likeable boxing drama," while The Hindu notes its deviation from emotional highs, instead focusing on relatable underdog moments. OTTPlay calls it “one of the sweetest underdog tales in recent times,” and India Today lauds its “charming chaos.” However, some critics point out that the film’s lack of a strong story arc and uneven emotional payoff slightly undercut its impact. Still, the film consistently earns praise for being fun, engaging, and emotionally resonant, especially in its portrayal of characters not destined for greatness but still willing to fight.

Verdict:

A fresh sports drama that charms with its spirit rather than spectacle. While it may lack the emotional intensity or narrative sharpness of traditional sports films, Alappuzha Gymkhana stands out with its warm vibe, relatable characters, and genre-defying storytelling.

REVIEWS (9)

Review by: Cris - The News Minute

High spirits make Khalid Rahman’s boxing film a fun, engaging watch. The young cast– Naslen, Ganapathi, Baby Jean, Sandeep Pradeep, Franco Francis, Shiva Hariharan, Anagha Ravi, Noila Francy, and Nanda Nishanth– is a fitting pick for the plot that develops in the thick of a boxing ring.
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Review by: Aswin Bharadwaj - Lensmen Reviews

A Clutter Breaker Sports Drama That Offers a Thorough Fun Ride. Yes, the lack of a story arc is making the movie miss that conventional end punch. But the groundedness of the film sort of makes it an absorbing watch.
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More Reviews (7)