Saala Khadoos sticks to familiar ground as far as a sports film goes, although the climatic bout is genuinely thrilling. Amidst all the faux sentimentality, we still get a protagonist that we can’t help rooting for. That is the film’s real success.

The film had great potential but it plays safe by taking the familiar route of the underdog becoming the champion. You know from the time when Adi picks up a wild child off the street and she over dramatically resists, that he will pursue her to follow his dream. Director Sudha Kongara also deftly weaves in an attraction between the amateur boxer and her khadoos coach, a man almost double her age.

Saala Khadoos is emotionally gripping tale with heart and a punch.

Saala Khadoos works because of the performances by its cast. Maybe the scene would have been a bit different had Omung Kumar’s Mary Kom not been released just a year-and-a-half ago. Watch Saala Khadoos for its lead actors.

…is an euphoric and electrifying film with amazing performances from the lead cast. It is definitely engaging, and inspiring. It truly deserves an ovation and is worth your time and money. SAALA KHADOOS delivers a solid punch. Winner!

Madhavan is excellent as a disgruntled failure and he displays raw passion when grunting and swearing from the ringside. But, unfortunately, much of it doesn’t seem to work as the film, scene after scene, falls into a predictable rut and a ho-hum climax doesn’t salvage the matter either. You walk out of the film feeling tad disheartened instead of that triumphant feeling that you expect from a movie belonging to this genre.

The story arc is very dull and in parts, meaningless, despite borrowing parts from many sports and boxing films we have seen.

The film does have its share of endearing moments. One of them is a poster saying ‘Harty Welcome’ when Adi arrives in Chennai. One wishes the film had other such insights that made it different from the rest. Sadly, the film chooses to walk the predictable path, instead of carving its own.

The nail-biting fight sequences will keep you on the edge of your seat. The series of events unfold in such a way that it will keep you hooked. Saala Khadoos also throws light on the age-old issues of bribery, sexism and corruption prevailing in our society which have been one of the top-debated topics in Bollywood.

Saala Khadoos’ flaws overpower its genuineness. We wouldn’t go as far as to call it a shallow film, but there is a serious lack of heart that cannot be compensated for. 

…a well made sports drama with exceptional performances especially from the lead starcast, a good and gripping storyline and also good music.

“Saala Khadoos” has all the ‘givens’ in a sports film—it has the usual story of the triumph of the underdog thanks to an impassioned coach, spotlights sports politics, defeat, humiliation, demoralization and finally the triumph of not only merit over politics, but also the protagonist and the teacher.