Game Changer, the first 350-crore-plus Telugu big-budget film of 2025, hit theatres worldwide today. Directed by Shankar, the film raised hopes for his comeback after the failures of 2.0 and Indian 2. Adding to the anticipation were Ram Charan’s fans, excited post-RRR. Unfortunately, Game Changer fell short of expectations, testing viewers’ patience and time.
Did Karthik Subbaraj write this story? Seriously?
The excitement for Game Changer stemmed more from Karthik Subbaraj penning the story than Shankar directing it. But the final product doesn’t even come close to Karthik’s standards, raising doubts about his involvement. The plot is strikingly simplistic: Appanna (Ram Charan), founder and president of a political party, is betrayed and killed by his own party members. Years later, his son, Ram Nandan (an IPS, IAS, CM, CEO, and whatever else the story demands), seeks revenge and ensures a better government in Andhra Pradesh. This story, lacking both emotion and motive, unfolds as a series of disconnected scenes.
Shankar: A legend becomes an independent songs director
Shankar, once celebrated as one of India’s finest filmmakers, seems to have devolved into an independent songs director. In Game Changer, the essence of Shankar’s cinematic brilliance is visible only in scattered moments. While he injects societal themes into the screenplay, they lack the impact to elevate the narrative. The flashback involving Appanna feels hollow and devoid of purpose. Stronger slogans or motives could have grounded the character, but Appanna comes across as weak. Despite these shortcomings, Shankar succeeds in extracting the best from Ram Charan.
Ram Charan: The Standout Performer
If you’re a Shankar fan, ignore Game Changer. But for Ram Charan fans, it’s a must-watch. Charan’s portrayal of Appanna outstands his Chitti Babu from Rangasthalam. His stammering scenes are particularly moving, and his death sequence is a masterclass in performance. A standout moment involves a well-written scene between Anjali and Charan. However, Shankar’s poor vision undermines Charan’s brilliance in certain parts.
Anjali and Srikanth: The Unpredictable Stars
The dialogue, ‘I am unpredictable,’ aptly describes Anjali and Srikanth. After Ram Charan, they shine the brightest. Anjali is exceptional as Parvathi, and Srikanth perfectly fits Bobbili Satyamurthy. SJ Suryah delivers as expected, while Samuthirakani deserved more screen time. Unfortunately, talents like Kiara Advani, Sunil, Jayaram, Naveen Chandra, Vennela Kishore, and Naresh are squandered in poorly written roles.
Thaman’s Music, Songs, and Production Values
Spending Rs 75 crores on songs? Producer Dil Raju might want to rethink such extravagance. The songs barely add value, and Naanaa Hyraanaa, a fan favorite, doesn’t even make it to the film. Thaman’s efforts shine amid the film’s many shortcomings. On the technical front, the production values are impressive, befitting a big-budget film.
My Opinion
Simply put, Game Changer feels like Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar performance wasted by Rohit Sharma’s poor captaincy in the recent BGT series. In fact, the film should have been titled Role Changer, as Ram Charan effortlessly morphs into whatever his character demands.
