Sumo Movie Review : Charming idea needs more muscle

Sumo Movie Synopsis: A sumo wrestler washes ashore near Chennai and is befriended by locals. After comedic misadventures, they help him return to Japan to fight for his championship title and rediscover his past.

Sumo Movie Review: So, a champion sumo wrestler just casually washes ashore on an ECR beach? Alive? It’s a quirky hook for Sumo, a film that itself feels like it surfaced after a long time submerged. What follows is largely predictable territory. The first half coasts on Shiva’s familiar comedic style, trying to wring laughs from the fish-out-of-water scenario. The gentle giant Ganesh (Yoshinori Tashiro), initially childlike and obsessed only with eating, becomes a local curiosity – sometimes celebrated (like when dressed up for Vinayaka Chaturthi), other times exploited by Shiva and Jack (VTV Ganesh) for quick cash schemes. He’s utterly harmless, often facing mild harassment from locals, which seems designed mostly to make us feel for the big guy.

The film then makes the expected pivot, shifting focus to Japan as the crew hatches a plan to get Ganesh back into the sumo ring to reclaim his title from some vaguely defined sumo baddies. This is where Yoshinori Tashiro, a real-life sumo wrestler, truly shines. His background adds a crucial layer of realism, especially during the wrestling sequences, which cleverly seem to incorporate actual match footage.

While the film shifts gears towards a more feel-good, emotional track in the second half, the overall execution struggles to fully capture the premise’s inherent charm. The comedy offers sporadic chuckles but doesn’t consistently land with impact. The screenplay lacks a certain spark; events unfold, but often without exploring the culture clash or character depths beyond a surface level. It leaves you wishing for more – more creative flair, perhaps a deeper dive into the story’s potential. Even the Japan segments feel a bit limited, more like quick location shots than an immersive experience.

Yoshinori Tashiro is undoubtedly the heart of the film, bringing authenticity and a quiet charm to Ganesh that makes you root for him. Shiva is dependable in his familiar space. Priya Anand and VTV Ganesh are adequate. Decent music from Nivas Prasanna and manageable runtime help keep things moving, making Sumo a light, if unremarkable, viewing experience overall.

Written By: Abhinav Subramanian