Watch Saala Khadoos

Saala Khadoos is a 2016 Indian sports drama film directed by Sudha Kongara and produced by S. Sashikanth for Y NOT Studios. The film stars R. Madhavan, Nassar, and Radha Ravi in lead roles. The story revolves around the life of Adi Tomar (R. Madhavan), a former boxer who was dismissed from the Indian Boxing Team due to his ill-temper and lack of discipline. He ultimately takes to coaching and his life takes a major turn when he meets Madhi (Ritika Singh), a talented young fighter from a fishing village in Chennai. Adi becomes Madhi's coach and trains her vigorously for the national championship.

Madhi has a raw talent and incredible potential, but she is also hot-headed, rebellious, and physically unfit. Adi is relentless in his training regimen, which involves waking Madhi up at 4 am and pushing her to her limits. Madhi is initially resistant to Adi's coaching, but her passion for boxing gradually wins her over.

As the training progresses, Adi realizes that Madhi's fighting abilities are exceptional, but her unpolished skills need much work. He becomes obsessed with transforming Madhi into a world-class boxer and even sells his house to finance her training. Adi's efforts ultimately lead Madhi to win the national championship title, but not without a dramatic twist.

The movie powerfully examines the emotional and physical challenges that come with the professional boxing ring. It shows how an athlete is put through a grueling training routine to reach their full potential. The cinematography showcases Chennai as a vibrant city and a Mecca of sports, featuring an array of young sportsmen and women at training camps, which gives audiences a glimpse into the world of sports competition in India.

Saala Khadoos is compelling and filled with raw emotion, you feel as if you are a fly on the wall, witnessing Madhi's transformation from scratch to champion. Madhavan's portrayal of Adi is nothing short of brilliant as he manages to infuse both the arrogance and the vulnerability of the character so convincingly. Ritika Singh, who plays Madhi, is exceptional for a first-time actor, especially since she actually trained as a professional Mixed martial artist before she joined the film. Her acting is seamless, and her punches land with precision.

Director Sudha Kongara's vision and execution is worth commendation too. The narrative never strays too far from the main plot, not losing its focus, and its central message is always clear. The characters aren't perfect, but they are real and tangible, each with their own flaws and abilities that combine to create a heartwarming story.

Furthermore, the movie examines the patriarchy and the societal pressure that Madhi has to go through as a female boxer. She faces gender discrimination, politics and lack of funds. The grooming she receives under Adi gives her the confidence to stand up for herself and fight against all odds. It sends a message of women empowerment and sets a strong role model for young girls who don't have the ability to pursue their dreams.

Overall, Saala Khadoos is a well-executed sports drama with powerful performances, tight writing, and excellent direction. The movie is emotional, thought-provoking, and entertaining. It deserves recognition as one of the best sports films in the Indian film industry.

Saala Khadoos is a 2016 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.