“Game Changer” is a 2025 Telugu-language political action drama directed by acclaimed filmmaker S. Shankar in his Telugu debut. Produced by Dil Raju under Sri Venkateswara Creations, the movie boasts a star-studded cast led by Ram Charan in dual roles, alongside Kiara Advani, S. J. Suryah, Anjali, Srikanth, and others.
A 2 hours and 45 minutes movie whose plot revolves around Ram Nandan, a principled IAS officer who takes on the challenge of exposing political corruption and reforming the electoral process. His mission puts him at odds with Bobbili Mopidevi, a power-hungry minister vying for the Chief Minister’s position. Through gripping confrontations and high-stakes drama, the film dives into the murky world of politics, corruption, and the relentless pursuit of justice.
Filming spanned over three years, starting in October 2021 and wrapping in July 2024, with key sequences shot in India and exotic international locations, including Japan, China, and New Zealand. With a stirring score by Thaman S and visually striking cinematography by Tirru, the movie delivers both style and substance.
Released on January 10, 2025, during the Sankranti festival, “Game Changer” debuted in formats like IMAX and Dolby Cinema. While the film was lauded for its intense performances, especially Ram Charan’s portrayal, and its exploration of political themes, it faced mixed box office results, earning ₹75 crore worldwide on its opening day. For fans of politically charged dramas and action-packed narratives, “Game Changer” presents a thought-provoking story of integrity, resilience, and the quest for a better society.
REVIEWS:
The critical reception of “Game Changer”, the 2025 Telugu-language political action drama directed by S. Shankar, has been a mixed bag. Here’s an overview of what critics had to say:
Positive Highlights
Critics praised Ram Charan’s performance, especially his portrayal of dual roles, calling it the backbone of the film. The film’s lavish production values and visual grandeur, a trademark of director Shankar, were widely appreciated.Some reviewers lauded its attempt to tackle relevant political issues, such as corruption and electoral reforms.
• Filmfare praised the film, awarding it 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling it “an unmistakable Shankar creation” and applauding Ram Charan’s magnetic performance.
• The Hans India also gave it 3.5 out of 5 stars, commending the lead actor’s “powerhouse performance” and describing the movie as “a solid political drama worth watching.”
• The Times of India rated it 3 out of 5 stars, appreciating the grand scale of Shankar’s direction and Ram Charan’s compelling portrayal, labeling it “a captivating watch for fans of political dramas.”
Negative Feedback
A common criticism was the lack of a cohesive storyline, with the film described as disjointed and overly reliant on Shankar’s signature style.The pacing, especially in the first half, was seen as a drawback, with some calling it unnecessarily stretched. Complex political themes were reduced to simplistic solutions, which many felt undermined the film’s potential impact.
• The Indian Express gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars, noting that while individual segments of the movie shine, the overall narrative feels disjointed and lacks focus.
• India Today also rated it 2.5 out of 5 stars, criticizing Shankar’s reliance on grandeur over substance and suggesting the film underdelivers despite its ambitious premise.
• NDTV provided a harsher critique, rating it 2 out of 5 stars, arguing that the movie simplifies complex issues and struggles to find a cohesive direction, though it acknowledged some improvement in the second half.
Overall Verdict
While “Game Changer” has been lauded for its impressive production values and Ram Charan’s performance, many critics felt the film faltered in delivering a compelling and impactful storyline. For fans of politically charged dramas, it offers moments of brilliance, but its inconsistent execution may leave some viewers underwhelmed.
Box Office Collection :
Day 1 :
On its opening day, “Game Changer” (2025) grossed approximately ₹75 crore worldwide. Despite the anticipation surrounding the film, this figure was considered below industry expectations, with reports indicating that it did not achieve the expected level of box office success on its first day. The film faced some challenges at the box office, despite its high-profile cast and grand production values.
Day 2 :
On its second day, “Game Changer” (2025) experienced a significant decline in box office earnings, grossing approximately ₹21.5 crore across all languages in India.
The significant decline in earnings on Day 2 has raised concerns among industry observers and fans regarding the film’s box office performance. Looking forward towards its success in the coming days.