Alappuzha Gymkhana, a super hit in Malayalam, hit the theaters on April 25, 2025 as Gymkhana in Telugu. Nuslane, who won the hearts of Telugu people with the movie Premala, is the hero in this movie. Did this sports comedy drama, directed by Khalid Rahman, entertain the Telugu audience with its youth-appealing vibe? Come, let’s see in this review!
What is the story?
Jojo Johnson (Naslen) and his friends—David "DJ" John (Baby Jean), Shifas "Valtu" Ahmed (Sandeep Pradeep), Shifas "Chertu" Ali (Franco Francis), and Shanavas (Siva Hariharan)—who fail their intermediate exams in Alappuzha, are determined to do anything to secure a seat in college. They choose boxing to get grace marks through the sports quota. They join a local gymkhana and start training with former boxing champion Anthony Joshua (Lakman Avaran). As they prepare for the Kerala State Amateur Boxing Championship, are they serious about boxing or just playing for fun? What happened to Anthony Joshua in the past? The film continues to answer these questions.
How was the film?
Gymkhana is not a typical sports movie. It is a movie filled with fun, comedy, and youthful energy. Tallumala director Khalid Rehman has taken the sports genre with his stylish touch. The boxing scenes in the second half are impressive with Jimshi Khalid's cinematography. Nishad Yusuf's editing is also crisp. Vishnu Vijay's music, especially in the boxing scenes, is exciting.
The Telugu dubbing is good. Trendy memes and popular dialogues have been added to attract the youth, but at some places they seem a bit forced. The fact that the movie is completed in 140 minutes is a plus point.
How are the actors' performances?
Nuslen (Jojo Johnson): Nuslen brings this movie to life! He has brought the magic he showed in Premalu back here. His comedy timing, energy and naturalness as JoJo are amazing. His physical comedy in the boxing training scenes and subtle expressions in the emotional scenes made him a star performer. His screen presence took the film to the next level.
Luckman Awaran (Anthony Joshua): Luckman Awaran silently stunned as Anthony Joshua. The pain hidden in his shadows, the depth in his eyes and the strength he showed as a coach made his role special. His performance in the scenes where his backstory is revealed in the second half gave the film an emotional touch. His bond with JoJo is heart-warming.
Anagha Ravi (Natasha): Anagha Ravi looked good as Natasha. Although her role did not have much scope, her sweet vibe and natural acting in the romantic scenes connected well. If given a little more screen time, her role would have been more impactful.
Supporting Cast: Baby Jean (DJ), Sandeep Pradeep (Valthu), Franco Francis (Cherthu), Shiva Hariharan (Shanavas) delivered the comedy and bro vibe perfectly as a gang of friends. Baby Jean made the theater laugh with his one-liners. Sandeep Pradeep worked well as a comedian with his innocence and boxing-fearing scenes as Valthu. Franco and Shiva Hariharan were well-set in supporting roles. Ganapathi S. Poduval was memorable even in a small role.
Highlights
Nuslane Magic: His energy, comedy, and acting are the biggest pluses of the film.
Visuals: Cinematography by Jimshi Khalid, top notch in boxing scenes.
Youth Vibe: Fun, comedy elements connect well with the youth.
Music: Vishnu Vijay's score, songs add zest to the film.
Acting: The acting of Nuslane, Laxman Awaran, and the supporting cast is a big strength of the film.
Minus Points
Slow First Half: The first hour feels a bit dull and slow.
Romance Track: The romantic scenes are not impressive, they do not add much to the story.
Logical Flaws: Logic has been sidelined in some scenes, which may be a problem for some.
Emotional Depth: The emotional peaks that are common in sports movies are missed in this one.
Rating: 2.75/5
Gymkhana is a lighthearted, youthful sports comedy, entertaining with a mix of fun and boxing. The performances of Nuslane, Lakhman Awaran, and the supporting cast make the film lively. This movie is a fun ride for Nuslane fans and the youth. But those expecting emotional depth and a gripping story will be a bit disappointed. This is a good option to laugh with friends in the theater!