Khalid Rahman’s sports drama Alappuzha Gymkhana, which took theatres by storm in April, is now winning hearts online. After grossing a whopping ₹44.25 crore at the Indian box office, the Naslen-starrer made its OTT debut on SonyLIV this week — and social media is buzzing with praise.

From theatres to trending

With its gripping storyline about five underdog friends from Alappuzha taking up boxing to secure college seats, the film blends humour, adrenaline, and heart. Netizens are calling it the “funniest, freshest, and most feel-good Malayalam movie of the year.” One user on X quipped, “10 mins into Alappuzha Gymkhana and this is going to be a funny adrenaline ride!”

Another added, “Alappuzha Gymkhana is the best Mollywood film this year — even the rewatch is electric. Vishnu Vijay, YOU BEAUTY!”

Breaking boxing tropes

Unlike typical boxing films, Alappuzha Gymkhana avoids clichés. As one viewer noted, “It doesn’t end as I expected, and that made it better. A refreshing take on the genre.”

Strong cast, stronger message

The ensemble cast — Lukman Avaran, Ganapathi, Shine Tom Chacko, Kottayam Nazeer, Abu Salim and others — deliver powerful performances. The story, revolving around friendship, resilience, and youthful ambition, goes beyond a simple underdog victory tale.

Director’s vision

Khalid Rahman said he intentionally focused on a group narrative rather than a star vehicle. “It’s not about a single boxer but a collective journey of young people — that’s what excited me the most,” he told OTTplay.

With Alappuzha Gymkhana now streaming and winning over a wider audience, the film proves that well-told regional stories continue to punch above their weight.