The newest film fighting for our attention is Saala Khadoos. Directed by Sudha Kongara, this sports drama set in and around a boxing ring has also simultaneously been released in Tamil.
R Madhavan plays a cantankerous and disgraced coach with a Chak De India hangover. He scavenges for a good boxer, spots Madhi (Ritika Singh), recognises her raw talent and immerses himself into training her!
With a win for the underdog writ large, it is predictability what makes Saala Khadoos fizzle out!
Not that the whole endeavour is a waste, although we know the course that the film would take. The many moments of brilliance strewn along the way keep us engaged throughout.
R Madhavan plays his part vociferously and nails his disgruntled coach act with finesse but it’s Ritika Singh who is so convincing as the spirited rookie that we have no choice but to cheer for her.
The boxing fights, the build-up to the action inside the ring have been wonderfully shot making it infinitely better than Mary Kom. Also, the film manages to throw light on the important issues and problems that women face in sports especially in a country like ours. Sexual harassment, inept government officials, politics, bad facilities all have been woven together to make the film more textured.
But still, Saala Khadoos fails to hit the winning knockout punch thanks to the innumerable and utterly unnecessary songs. There is a song for every occasion from when talent is first spotted to hardcore training, from dejection to the final triumph- each scene wrapped in a song and sealed by predictability!
It’s a pity since Saala Khadoos could have been so much more. But go for it with your expectations in check and you won’t regret it!
I’ll give it 3 QUINTS OUT OF 5.
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