Alappuzha Gymkhana

With its charming characters, understated writing, and grounded storytelling, Alappuzha Gymkhana punches far above its weight—and lands with lasting impact. Khalid Rahman stays away from the familiar arcs of conventional sports dramas, crafting something akin to Alappuzha Diaries, infused with the quirks and warmth of these teenagers, which makes the film stand out amidst the generic fare of its genre.

From the very first scene, Rahman makes it clear what he aims to do with Alappuzha Gymkhana and he nails the tone at the outset itself, brilliantly maintaining it until the very end. It's moments like these that give this Khalid Rahman directorial a sense of freshness.

Alappuzha Gymkhana does not deliver much of the latter but makes up with a relatable tale that spares a thought for those not cut out to win. The film is written in such a way as to make us think that we wouldn't want it any other way. Alappuzha Gymkhana will be remembered more for the artful dodges it made than the punches it landed.

Alappuzha Gymkhana tells a heartfelt story about friendship, ambition, and resilience, grounding the humour in its sports world structure. With spirited performances and a strong sense of place, it lingers quietly in the mind.

Alappuzha Gymkhana is no underdog story with a grand climax that makes you emotional. It's funny, light-hearted, and relies on the small moments to engage the audience. Still, it's a film that has enough in it to entertain — whether you're a young Malayali viewer, a non-Malayali following Mollywood, or just someone looking for a breezy watch with family.

Alappuzha Gymkhana doesn’t try and make the quest for sports quota into anything more than the long shot it starts out as. I can see the gang picking up something entirely different the following year, or just sitting around eating hardboiled eggs and trying to impress rich girls on the ferry. It’s an irrational thought, but I hope they stick together. Alappuzha gang moves as one.