Ahead of the much-anticipated Game Changer’s release, actress Anjali shares her experience working with Ram Charan, her thoughts on the film and the challenges she overcame
suresh kavirayani
Telugu actress Anjali continues to reach new heights with her exceptional performances and her carefully chosen projects in both Telugu and Tamil cinema. Currently, she is playing a major role in Game Changer opposite Ram Charan. Her character, Parvathi, is paired with Appanna, portrayed by Ram Charan.
“This role is very close to my heart because my character’s name is Parvathi, which is also my mother’s name, Parvathi Devi. So, I personally connected to this role and relate to it deeply. I have put a lot of hard work into it,” Anjali shared about her role in Game Changer. The actress also stated that in her 18-year career, this role is particularly special for many reasons.
For her performance as Parvathi, many from the film’s unit believe she is deserving of a National Award. When asked about it, Anjali said, “Many have said the same, and I have also thought so. Let’s hope for the best.” She added, “When Shankar sir appreciated my performance during the shoot, I felt like I had already won an award. I always wanted to work with directors Shankar and Mani Ratnam. Now that I’ve worked with Shankar sir in Game Changer, it’s a dream come true. There are a few emotional scenes in the film, and after we shot them, Shankar sir told me, ‘Anjali, you did a good job, very nice.’ Words like these from him are an award for me.”
Anjali also emphasised that playing Parvathi was a significant challenge for her. “This role has so many shades. I believe an actor connects with a character through personal experiences, seeing similar situations, or hearing about them. But for this role, I had neither experienced nor heard of such situations. It required me to work extremely hard to make the character believable. It’s one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my career,” she explained.
Reflecting on her previous roles, Anjali said, “In Journey, many girls wanted to be like my character. In Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu, where I played Seetha, people admired her long hair and grace. But my role in Game Changer is completely different from anything I’ve experienced in real life.”
She spoke highly of her co-star Ram Charan, saying, “He is a wonderful actor and the best co-star. I generally try to create a comfortable environment for my co-actors to ensure the scenes come out well, and I expect the same from them. Ram Charan is incredibly down-to-earth and treats everyone—from the light boy to the director—with respect. Working with him has been an amazing experience.”
Anjali revealed that the core of Game Changer lies in the relationship and bonding between Appanna and Parvathi, played by Ram Charan and herself. “There are many surprises in the film, as Shankar sir has said. The relationship between Appanna and Parvathi is beautifully portrayed and forms the heart of the movie,” she added.
The actress expressed her excitement about being part of the film for multiple reasons. “Firstly, it’s Shankar sir’s film. Secondly, it’s produced by Dil Raju garu. And thirdly, I’m acting opposite Ram Charan for the first time. I’m truly happy about this opportunity. When the trailer was released, I received so many calls and messages—more than I’ve ever received for any other film. People loved it so much, and I’m confident that the audience will see the beauty of this film on January 10,” she said.
When asked about being chosen for the role of Parvathi, Anjali said, “When Shankar sir narrated the role to me, I didn’t question why he chose me. I just wanted to give my best and use my skills to deliver a strong performance.” She added that Game Changer will be a milestone not just for her but for everyone involved in the film.
Anjali admitted she initially doubted whether she could pull off the character. “When I first heard about the role, my immediate thought was, ‘Can I do justice to this?’ It has so much depth that I had to think twice. But eventually, I gave it my all,” she shared. She also mentioned that this role has influenced her approach to choosing future projects.
Speaking about Chiranjeevi’s appreciation for her performance, Anjali said, “I’ve heard that Chiranjeevi garu has appreciated my work. I’m now trying to meet him in person. When I do, I’ll definitely ask him about the possibility of working together.”
When reminded that she has already worked with Pawan Kalyan and now with Ram Charan, Anjali smiled and said, “I hope to complete the family by acting with Chiranjeevi garu someday!”
In conclusion, Anjali expressed her gratitude for being part of Game Changer. She is hopeful that the film will be well-received by audiences and looks forward to its release on January 10.
