‘Saala Khadoos’ starring R.Madhavan is an unusual film, where the stereotypical character of the boxing coach meets his match when he picks up an uncivilized boxer for training into a championship. From the beginning of the movie, the plot seems to be what we have expected after seeing the trailer, but it is the lead star cast that holds on the film till the end. Though it claimed to be based on true life events, but sadly, ‘Saala Khadoos’ is a big disappointment. It was in comparison with ‘Chak De!’ and ‘Mary Kom’ for being a sports drama, but actually it is not! The movie promised a jagged sports film and it is not so successful in delivering it! The film is lengthy and there are a lot of weak moments which make it a dull watch.
Truth be told, we fell for the pre-release hype of R Madhavan’s Saala Khadoos -- it claimed to be based on ‘true life events’, had Rajkumar Hirani as the producer, and was to cast a ‘real’ boxer playing the lead character of a pugilist. But, Saala Khadoos fails on all counts and more. It didn’t help that comparisons were made with ‘Chak De!’, ‘Million Dollar Baby’ and ‘Mary Kom’, for this film is not a sports drama. In fact, Saala Khadoos is your run-of-the-mill story of coach and his student. Avoid this grumpy drama if you are looking for a good sports film. If you must, watch it for Madhavan’s power-packed performance.
Despite being packed with all the classic ingredients of a sports drama, Saala Khadoos can only manage to be sporadically watchable. There can be no denying that the boxing scenes in Saala Khadoos are infinitely more realistic than the ones we saw in 2014’s messily melodramatic Mary Kom. Newcomer Ritika, too, is far more convincing as an untamable boxer than the horribly miscast Priyanka Chopra was in the much-hyped biopic. The overly obtrusive background score and the songs that are frequently bunged in to heighten emotion are rather distracting. Saala Khadoos, for the entire storm that it seeks to whip up in the ring and outside it, does not string together enough points to be declared an outright winner. It has enough heart. It’s the heat that is missing.
From frame one, ‘Saala Khadoos’ seals the possibility of surprises. Everything is by-the-numbers, and you can pretty much predict what’s going to happen next. That’s what stops the film from rising above the ordinary, despite the fresh faces of the two girls who have leading parts, as well as the more experienced, bulked-up turn from R Madhavan. Madhavan is revved up much more than is needed. Ritika Singh is full tilt at all times, screwing up her face, her body, anger coursing through her veins. Unlike Madhi’s hero Mohammad Ali, it neither floats nor stings. It drones.
Like Mary Kom, Saala Khadoos is a heartfelt attempt at putting the spotlight on India's women boxers. The film had great potential but it plays safe by taking the familiar route of the underdog becoming the champion. Both Adi and Madhi are rebels. But their fights ( especially the ones outside the boxing ring) appear forced and out of sync. But then again, the film keeps you engaged till the proud-India bout in the climax because of the convincing performances. Madhavan is good as the cynical coach who wants nothing more than to earn his stripes. Ritika is raw yet manages a knockout performance. Nasser, Mumtaz and Zakir lend good support.