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.
Adi Tomar ( Madhavan) is a foul-tempered headstrong character who has fallen afoul of the guy who calls the shots in national women’s boxing in New Delhi, an oily, corrupt fellow ( Zakir Hussain) who preys upon young female hopefuls. The girl Adi discovers on a punishment posting down South, Madhi ( Ritika Singh) is an aggressive spitfire: she helps eke out for her family’s meagre earnings by selling fish, is her older sister Lux’s ( Mumtaz Sorcar) support, and is not above throwing a few efficient jabs and punches when she gets riled.