Saala Khadoos is a fine entertainer which tries to talk about the faults in our sports system that often obstructs new talent or makes it difficult for them to excel. R Madhavan is explosive and packs a punch with his performance. Ritika Singh, a real life boxer, is a great find. Naturally, she rocks in the boxing scenes but the manner in which she understands her part and puts the right effort is praiseworthy. Nasser is superb while Zakir Hussain is first rate. On the flipside, the film gets a bit clichéd. The visuals in the songs – Jhalli Patakha and Dil Ye Ladaku – seem a bit out of place in this otherwise realistic film. Also certain portions are too quick, especially the beginning. Yet, the film deserves a watch for the intent, engaging narrative, performances and above all, a powerful climax!

My rating - *** out of 5!