Movie Name : Gymkhana
Release Date : April 25, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5
Starring : Naslen, Lukman Avaran, Ganapathy, Baby Jean, Sandeep Pradeep, Franco Francis, Shiva Hariharan, Karthik, Shon Joy, Anagha Ravi, Nanda Nishanth and Noila Francy
Director : Khalid Rahman
Producers : Khalid Rahman, Jobin George, Sameer Karat, Subeesh Kannanchery
Music Director : Vishnu Vijay
Cinematographer : Jimshi Khalid
Editor : Nishadh Yusuf
Related Links : Trailer
Premalu fame Naslen stars in the sports drama Alappuzha Gymkhana, which was released in Malayalam and is performing well. Today, its Telugu-dubbed version hit cinemas. Check out our review to know how it is.
Story:
In Alappuzha, Kerala, after failing their 12th-grade board exams, Jojo Johnson (Naslen) and his four friends decide to try something completely different – they take up boxing. They join a local gymkhana and start training under Antony Joshua (Lukman Avaran), a former boxing champ with a mysterious past. As they prepare to compete in the Kerala State Amateur Boxing Championship, questions arise – are they serious about boxing or just passing the time? And what’s the story behind their coach? The movie slowly reveals the answers.
Plus Points:
Director Khalid Rahman, who made Thallumaala, brings a fun and fresh take on the sports genre. Gymkhana isn’t the usual serious and emotional sports drama; it’s lighter, funnier, and more laid-back.
Naslen, known to Telugu audiences from Premalu, delivers a solid performance. His expressions, comic timing, and even the Telugu dubbing work well. He adds entertainment value, especially in tense moments.
The rest of the group, Franco Francis, Shon Joy, and Ganapathi, do well in their roles too. Each actor adds something unique, and they shine more in the second half when the action picks up.
The film also uses trending memes and famous Telugu dialogues cleverly, adding plenty of laughs and keeping things engaging, especially later in the film.
Minus Points:
Though the film has a fun premise, the first half moves slowly. It takes time to gain momentum, and some scenes feel stretched.
The love story aspects are underwhelming and don’t add much to the plot. A bit more development here could have made them more enjoyable.
While the actors perform well, most are unfamiliar faces, which may make it harder for some viewers to connect with their characters.
Also, this isn’t a typical sports story where the heroes aim for a big victory for the country or their family. The film keeps things casual, which may not work for those looking for motivation or emotional highs.
Technical Aspects:
Khalid Rahman brings a different flavor to the sports genre and does it well. The second half looks great, thanks to Jimshi Khalid’s cinematography. Vishnu Vijay’s music keeps the scenes lively, and the editing by Nishadh Yusuf is clean and fast-paced, especially during the matches. The Telugu dubbing is decent, and the short runtime is definitely a plus.
Verdict:
On the whole, Gymkhana is a light, offbeat sports drama that mixes comedy with boxing. It’s a mixed bag, fun at times but not without flaws. Naslen delivers a decent performance, but the unengaging first half, a not-so-intriguing story, flat romance, and unfamiliar cast hold it back. If you enjoy offbeat stories with a lighter touch and don’t expect too much seriousness, you might find it entertaining, but keep your expectations in check.
123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
