Tikitaka Movie 2026 Bapamtv Review Details
Tikitaka (2026) Review – A Massy, High-Octane Football Thriller That Scores a Goal!
Let me tell you something, friends. After the gritty brilliance of ‘Kala’, when I heard Rohith V.S. and Asif Ali were reuniting for a full-blown, unapologetic mass entertainer, my curiosity was through the roof. Could this duo pull off a pan-India spectacle without losing that essential Malayalam soul? Having seen the craft on display, I can say this: buckle up.
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‘Tikitaka’ is not your average sports drama. It plunges you into the shadowy world of underground football syndicates, where Asif Ali’s Vikram uses the game’s famed ‘tikitaka’ strategy—quick, precise passes—to navigate a dangerous web of personal vendettas, rigged matches, and gangland power plays. It’s a tactical thriller where every move on the pitch is a calculated step in a larger, deadlier game.
| Role | Name | Notable For |
|---|---|---|
| Director | Rohith V.S. | Kala, Adventures of Omanakuttan |
| Lead Actor | Asif Ali | Rekha, Kala, Kismath |
| Lead Actress | Wamiqa Gabbi | Jubilee, Khufiya |
| Lead Actress | Kalyani Priyadarshan | Thallumaala, Bro Daddy |
| Supporting Actor | Naslen K. Gafoor | Premalu, Super Sharanya |
| Supporting Actor | Lukman Avaran | Rekhachithram |
| Supporting Actress | Madonna Sebastian | Palthu Janwar, Anuraga Karikkin Vellam |
| Music Director | Dawn Vincent | RDX, Kala |
| Cinematographer | Sony Seban | RDX |
| Producers | Siju Mathew, Navis Xavier (Vellmade), T-Series, Panorama Studios |
The Entertainment Factor: A Rollercoaster with Strategic Pit Stops
Is it a drag? Absolutely not. Rohith V.S. understands the pulse of commercial cinema. The film is a rollercoaster, but a smart one. It doesn’t just rely on mindless action; the tension builds like a well-played match. The first half sets up the players and the stakes with a mix of stylish football sequences, character introductions, and a brewing emotional backstory. The second half is where the tikitaka philosophy truly kicks in—plot twists and action sequences come at you with rapid, precise passes, leading to a climactic finale that aims for mass euphoria.
Star Performance: Asif Ali’s Convincing Mass Avatar
This is Asif Ali like we haven’t seen him before. Post his injury and recovery, he brings a raw, physical conviction to the role of Vikram. The swagger isn’t just in the style; it’s in the eyes—a calculated intensity that shows a man playing 4D chess while everyone else is checkers. He carries the film’s emotional core (the brother subplot with Naslen) and its action-hero weight with equal ease. This performance has the potential to be a career-defining mass turn for him.
Direction & Vision: Rohith V.S.’s Commercial Masterclass
Rohith V.S. makes a bold statement here. After ‘Kala’s critical success, he dives headfirst into big-scale commercial filmmaking without an ounce of hesitation. His vision is clear: fuse the tactical genius of a football strategy with the high stakes of a heist thriller, and wrap it in Malayalam’s grounded storytelling. The ambition is pan-Indian, but the soul, especially in the familial and coastal Kerala settings, remains distinctly local. It’s a tricky balance, and for most parts, he manages it.
Dialogues & Action Blocks: Clap-Worthy Moments Galore
The dialogues are sharp, often weaving football terminology into the characters’ real-life conflicts. You can expect whistle-worthy one-liners from Asif Ali during confrontation scenes. The real showstoppers, however, are the action blocks. Choreographed by an international team, the fights are brutal, inventive, and often extend the football metaphor—think locker-room brawls and street fights that mimic tactical feints and tackles. These sequences are designed for the big screen and big reactions.
| Mass Element | Rating (Out of 5) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Action | 5 | International-grade, integral to plot. |
| Songs | 4 | Dawn Vincent’s anthem & romantic tracks are chart-ready. |
| Comedy | 3.5 | Harisree Ashokan & others provide relief, not a core focus. |
| Romance | 3.5 | Wamiqa & Kalyani’s tracks add glamour & emotional layers. |
Music & BGM: Dawn Vincent’s Stadium-Filling Score
Dawn Vincent is on a roll, and ‘Tikitaka’ is another feather in his cap. The background score is a character in itself—pulsating with stadium roars, synth-driven tension, and emotional swells. The “Tikitaka Anthem” is a guaranteed mass intro track, while the romantic melodies provide necessary breathing space. The BGM during the match sequences, especially in Dolby Atmos, is immersive, making you feel the thud of every boot and the roar of the (virtual) crowd.
Cinematography & Technical Craft: A Visual Spectacle
Sony Seban’s cinematography is glossy and dynamic. The 2.39:1 frame is used beautifully to capture both the vastness of the coastal landscapes and the claustrophobic intensity of the underground matches. The VFX, used extensively for crowd simulations and slow-motion goal sequences, is largely seamless, giving the film a big-budget sheen. The edit by Chaman Chakko is taut, ensuring the 140-minute runtime rarely sags.
Emotional High Points: The Heart Connection
Beyond the glitz and action, the film finds its heart in the bond between Vikram and his brother (Naslen). Flashbacks detailing their past and the incident that derailed Vikram’s life provide the emotional fuel for his journey. These moments, though familiar in sports dramas, land effectively due to sincere performances. The underlying theme of redemption and playing for something bigger than yourself adds a layer of depth to the spectacle.
| Audience Type | Will They Enjoy It? | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Family Audience | Yes (with teens) | High entertainment value, strong emotional core, but has intense action. |
| Youth / Multiplex Crowd | Definitely Yes | Stylish, fast-paced, great songs, Naslen’s appeal, and pan-India vibe. |
| Mass / Single-Screen Fans | Big Yes | Asif’s mass avatar, clap-worthy action, clear hero-villain dynamics. |
Box Office Prediction: A Potential Blockbuster
Insight: The film’s fortunes hinge on its release timing and word-of-mouth. Riding on Asif Ali’s rising stock and Naslen’s ‘Premalu’ wave, it is poised for a strong ₹15-20 crore opening in Kerala. The crucial factor will be its performance in the Hindi-dubbed version. With T-Series’s backing and Wamiqa Gabbi’s recognisability in the North, it could see decent returns. If the content delivers the promised mass entertainment, a ₹150 crore+ worldwide gross is very much on the cards, cementing Rohith V.S. as a bankable commercial director.
| Aspect | Star Rating (Out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Story & Screenplay | 4.0 |
| Acting & Performances | 4.5 |
| Direction | 4.5 |
| Music & BGM | 4.5 |
| Visuals & Technical Craft | 4.5 |
| Overall Rating | 4.5 / 5 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is ‘Tikitaka’ a pure football film like ‘Jersey’ or ‘Maidaan’?
A: Not exactly. While football is the central metaphor and setting, the film is more of an action-thriller that uses the sport’s strategy to drive a story about revenge, redemption, and underground syndicates.
Q: How is Wamiqa Gabbi’s role in the movie?
A. She plays a pivotal role, not just as a romantic interest but as an ambitious agent with her own agenda. Her character adds intrigue and glamour, and her chemistry with Asif Ali is a highlight.
Q: Will there be a sequel?
A. It’s too early to say. The film is designed as a standalone mass entertainer. However, given the pan-India setup and the expansive world of underground sports, the potential for a franchise exists if this one scores big at the box office.
Ratings are purely my take after multiple watches — your experience might differ!
