Once more, Malayalam cinema has sparked conversation across town following the release of sports film Alappuzha Gymkhana on OTT platforms. Starring Naslen, you can catch this movie on SonyLIV. Now is the ideal moment to explore other movies in this genre!
If you appreciate sports-themed movies or enjoyed the film directed by Khalid Rahman, here’s a selection of Malayalam films that you might want to watch.
5 Sports-based Malayalam movies on OTT
1. Godha (2017)
- Cast: Tovino Thomas, Wamiqa Gabbi, Renji Panicker, Aju Varghese, Hareesh Peradi, Mamukoya, Sreejith Ravi, Bijukuttan
- Director: Basil Joseph
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Where to watch: ManoramaMAX
When talk turns to a film directed by Basil Joseph featuring Tovino Thomas, most people would anticipate “Minnal Murali”. But prior to the ARM actor slipping into the superhero costume, he portrayed a laid-back young man playing gatta gusthi.
The film “Godha,” which blends sports and comedy genres, showcases an actor as Aanjaneya Das, who is the offspring of a wrestling trainer. Due to his father’s intense devotion to the sport, Aanjaneya stepped away from it himself. To escape his dad’s strict control, he enrolls in a school in Punjab, where he encounters Adithi Singh, a girl with dreams of becoming a wrestler. However, her brother does not support her wrestling ambitions.
Following a heated argument with my cop brother, I found myself longing for solace in the familiar embrace of our family home in Kerala. Remarkably, my father welcomed me as an apprentice, offering me a unique opportunity to learn and grow within our cherished traditions.
The story that unfolds next is a comical account of how her ardor triumphs over all, even managing to persuade Das to reenter the wrestling arena once more.
2. Captain (2017)
- Cast: Jayasurya, Anu Sithara, Renji Panicker, Siddique, Saiju Kurup, Deepak Parambol, Mammootty
- Director: Prajesh Sen
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
- Where to watch: JioHotstar
As a diehard fan, I’m completely captivated by the gripping biographical sports film, “Captain.” This movie delves into the life story of VP Sathyan, a legendary former Indian professional footballer who made his mark on the field as a formidable center-back player. His extraordinary journey began in 1983, and for four years, from 1991 to 1995, he proudly led the Indian national football team as its captain, leaving an indelible impact on the game.
The movie starring Jayasurya as the main character portrays him as the central character, narrating his experiences with the Kerala Police force from his beginning to his ultimate demise.
3. Finals (2019)
- Cast: Rajisha Vijayan, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Niranj Maniyanpilla Raju, Tini Tom, Maniyan Pilla Raju
- Director: Arun PR
- IMDb Rating: 7/10
- Where to watch: ManoramaMAX
The story revolves around Alice, a young lady from a humble background in Kerala, harboring grand ambitions and a fervor for cycling. Her aspiration is to carve out an extraordinary career in this field, embodying her dreams through her sport of choice.
The movie centers around Rajisha Vijayan’s role, as she embarks on a lifelong quest to qualify for the Olympics, dedicating herself to rigorous training throughout.
4. 1983 (2014)
- Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anoop Menon, Nikki Galrani, Joy Mathew, Srinda Arhaan, Jacob Gregory, Saiju Kurup
- Director: Abrid Shine
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Where to watch: SunNXT
1983, a Malayalam-language coming-of-age sports drama, centers around the character of Rameshan (portrayed by Nivin Pauly). This young man discovers a newfound passion for cricket after witnessing India’s triumph in the World Cup, led by Kapil Dev.
In a heartfelt homage to the extraordinary life of Sachin Tendulkar, I find myself deeply moved by the film’s account of a humble villager named Rameshan. This tale is not merely about cricket, but about how one man ignited a passion for the game in his community. Despite his own dreams and ardor being swallowed by life’s demands, the spirit of cricket within him endured, finding new life through his cricketer son. Just as Sachin Tendulkar inspired generations, Rameshan continues to live on, not just through himself, but through his progeny who carries forward his love for the game.
5. Sudani from Nigeria (2018)
- Cast: Soubin Shahir, Samuel Abiola Robinson, Savithri Sreedharan, Sarasa Balussery, Aneesh G Menon
- Director: Zakariya Mohammed
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
The movie titled “Sudani from Nigeria” is a sports drama that has garnered numerous awards throughout its existence. This compelling story unfolds in the town of Malappuram where the character Mujeed, a football team manager, scouts and enlists three talented players from Sudan onto his local football squad.
In my role as a lifestyle expert, I’d rephrase it this way: My personal take is that the story takes an unexpected turn when one of the players, Samuel, gets hurt, leading me, Mujeed (Soubin Shahir), to extend hospitality by housing him at my residence. The remainder of the film delves into how the Nigerian player captivates the town’s attention, rekindles relationships, and offers a fresh outlook on life to the football team manager.
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2025-06-05 18:52