Cast: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, SJ Suryah, Samuthirakani, Srikanth, Jayaram, Sunil, Naveen Chandra, Rajiv Kanakala, Vishwanth, and others
Music Director: S. Thaman
Cinematographer: Thiru
Story: Karthik Subbaraj
Producers: Raju and Shirish
Director: Shankar
Rating: 2.5/5
Suresh Kavirayani
The New Year of 2025 kicked off with a high-budget film like Game Changer, which was released today. Starring Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, and Anjali in lead roles, this film is directed by the popular filmmaker Shankar Shanmugam. The movie also features prominent actors like Srikanth, Samuthirakani, Jayaram, Sunil, Rajiv Kanakala, Naveen Chandra, and others in key roles. Game Changer is one of the most anticipated films of the year, especially for Ram Charan, as it marks his solo release after the massive success of RRR. The film took nearly three years to complete, and expectations are high due to the star-studded cast and the big budget. Dil Raju is the producer. Here’s a breakdown of the story and what the film offers.
Story:
The plot of Game Changer revolves around Chief Minister Satyamurthy (Srikanth), who falls ill and is admitted to the hospital. His son and Minister, Mopidevi (SJ Suryah), aims to become the Chief Minister. While Satyamurthy wants to leave behind a clean government in his final year, Mopidevi disagrees. Enter Ram Nandan (Ram Charan), an honest and sincere IAS officer who takes charge as the collector of Visakhapatnam. The conflict between Ram Nandan and Mopidevi ensues as Ram Nandan strives to shut down the illegal operations run by Mopidevi and his allies.
In a flashback, Ram Nandan falls in love with Deepika (Kiara Advani) in college. However, their relationship faces a roadblock when Ram Nandan becomes an IPS officer, which Deepika disapproves of as she wanted him to pursue an IAS career. Eventually, Ram Nandan becomes the collector of Vizag and seeks to marry Deepika. Meanwhile, the chief minister passes away, and before his death, he names Ram Nandan as his successor in a video message. Mopidevi, however, plans to seize power. The film unfolds as Ram Nandan fights to hold his ground, and his connection with Appanna (also played by Ram Charan) comes to light. The story follows Ram Nandan’s journey as he confronts Mopidevi and unravels the larger political conspiracy.
Analysis:
Director Shankar is renowned for his grandiose visuals, aesthetic songs, and high production values. However, in recent years, he seems to have lost his touch. While Shankar has directed several successful films in the past, such as Gentleman, Oke Okkadu, Bharateeyudu, Aparichithudu, and Sivaji, his recent works, including Bharateeyudu 2, have struggled at the box office. His signature style seems outdated, and Game Changer lacks the innovative spark that his previous films showcased.
The story, penned by Karthik Subbaraj, follows the familiar trope of an honest IAS officer battling a corrupt politician. While the story touches upon relevant themes, the execution feels outdated and predictable. The screenplay fails to captivate the audience, with the romantic track between Ram Charan and Kiara Advani coming across as boring and outdated. Similarly, the comedy sequences featuring Vennela Kishore and Brahmanandam fall flat, failing to evoke laughter.
While the concept of an IAS officer taking on a corrupt minister should have made for an engaging political drama, Shankar’s outdated approach undermines the potential of the story. There is a lack of realism and depth in the narrative, making the film feel artificial and far from convincing. Some scenes are cinematic to the point of being unrealistic, with moments that seem detached from the current political landscape.
Anjali’s character, though powerful, lacks the depth and emotion it could have had. The second half, which focuses on Appanna’s character, shows potential, but after that, the film quickly loses momentum, and the climax becomes unnecessarily dragged out.
Performances:
Ram Charan carries the entire film with his strong performance. As Ram Nandan, an IAS officer, and in the flashback as Appanna, he brings energy and conviction to his roles. His portrayal of both characters is commendable, and he succeeds in anchoring the film with his stellar screen presence.
SJ Suryah plays a significant role as the antagonist, Mopidevi. While he has delivered strong performances in the past, his accent here seems ill-suited for the Telugu audience, which detracts from his impact. Anjali, portraying Parvathi, delivers a solid performance, but her character could have been better developed. Despite her powerful presence, her role lacks the emotional weight it could have carried. Srikanth steps into a different role compared to his usual image, but his performance doesn’t leave a lasting impression. Jayaram’s role is underwhelming, and Sunil’s comedy does not hit the mark. Samuthirakani’s performance is average, while the other supporting actors do not stand out.
Technical Aspects:
The technical aspects of Game Changer are undoubtedly one of the film’s strengths. The cinematography by Thiru is visually stunning, capturing the grandeur of the film’s high-budget sequences. The songs, though choreographed beautifully in some visually impressive locations, do not live up to the high standards one might expect from a Shankar film. Thaman’s music, especially the songs, falls short of expectations, and the background score feels average.
The dialogue delivery in some scenes is thought-provoking, but the overall screenplay and emotional depth are lacking. Despite the film’s impressive visuals, the film’s technical elements do not make up for the weak narrative.
Verdict:
Game Changer fails to meet expectations, as it falls short in terms of both story and execution. While Ram Charan’s performance is commendable and the film has some grand visuals, the outdated and predictable story, along with a lack of emotional depth, make it a letdown. Shankar’s once-innovative approach now feels stale, and the film struggles to stay relevant in the current political and cinematic landscape. For those expecting a fresh and exciting political drama, Game Changer may not deliver. The film’s commercial appeal might help it to some extent, but its longevity remains uncertain without a compelling story to back it up.
