Movie Name: Gymkhana
Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: Naslen, Lukman Avaran, Ganapathi S Poduval, Anagha Ravi, and others
Director: Khalid Rahman
Produced By: Jobin george, Subeesh Kannanchery, Sameer karat, Khalid Rahman
Release Date: 25th April 2025
Naslen, the Malayalam actor who played the lead role in Premalu, has scored a super duper hit with his latest film Alappuzha Gymkhana. Directed by Khalid Rahman, the film was dubbed into Telugu as Gymkhana and released in theaters today. Let’s check out how the dubbing version of this sports drama has turned out to be.
Story:
After not passing their 12th-grade board exams in Alappuzha, Kerala, Jojo Johnson (Naslen) and his friends turn to boxing. They take part in a nearby gymkhana, training alongside Antony Joshua (Lukman Avaran), an ex-boxing champion with an unreaveled past. Are they truly committed to boxing or just filling time as they get ready for the Kerala State Amateur Boxing Championship? What’s the coach’s history? The film gradually uncovers the answers
Performances:
Naslen delivers a charming portrayal of a youth finding his way. His expressions are praiseworthy. The performances of Lukman Avaran, Ganapathy, Baby Jean, Sandeep Pradeep, Franco Francis, Shiva Hariharan, Karthik, Shon Joy, Anagha Ravi, Nanda Nishanth and Noila Francy significantly impact the characters and the movie.
Analysis:
Khalid Rahman adds a unique twist to the sports genre with Gymkhana, blending it with fun. The second half shines with excellent and authentic taking of boxing matches. Jimshi Khalid’s cinematography, Vishnu Vijay’s music, and Nishadh Yusuf’s editing quicken the film’s pace. Like Premalu, Gymkhana offers decent Telugu dubbing with trendy memes and popular dialogues that boost its entertainment factor. The first half is slow to start, and while it maintains a fun tone, the romance feels lackluster.
Unlike typical sports stories, this film doesn’t feature underdogs chasing a grand victory and proving themselves. The movie adopts a relaxed approach, not exploring the Hero and his gang’s highs and lows, which may not appeal to audiences craving emotional intensity.
Positives:
- Performances
- Second Half
- Music and Visuals
Negatives:
- Oversimplified Love Track
- Low Emotional Impact
Gymkhana Movie Review and Verdict:
Gymkhana offers a lighthearted mix of comedy and boxing. Technical excellence and solid performances support the film, while it lacks the emotional impact that is expected from a sport-driven film.