Hi friends! Today let's talk about 'Game Changer' starring global star Ram Charan, which was grandly released on January 10, 2025 during the Sankranti season. This political action drama, produced by Dil Raju under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations and starring Ram Charan in dual roles, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S.J. Surya, Srikanth, Sunil, Jayaram, Samuthirakani and others, is making a splash in theaters. With a story by Karthik Subbaraj, music by Thaman S, cinematography by Thiru, and editing by Ruben-Shamir, the film, made on a budget of around Rs 400 crore, has raised expectations with Shankar's signature grand visuals and action sequences. Is this film really a game changer? Ram Charan-S.J. How is Surya Clash? Come on, let's get into the details
What is the story?
Ram Nandan (Ram Charan), who is appointed as the Collector in Visakhapatnam, is an honest officer who has converted from IPS to IAS. He takes an iron fist on corruption and stops the illegal activities of Bobbili Mopi Devi (S.J. Surya), the son of Chief Minister Satyamurthy (Srikanth). Mopi Devi is a character who dares to do any mean thing for the post of CM. To stop Ram Nandan, Mopi Devi gets him suspended on false charges. However, in an unexpected twist, Satyamurthy announces Ram Nandan as the CM candidate. In this context, Ram Nandan learns the secrets of his past, his relationship with his father Appanna (Ram Charan), and his fight for 'moneyless politics'. How does Ram Nandan fight this corrupt system? What happened in the past of Appanna-Parvathi (Anjali)? How did his cat-and-mouse game with Mopidevi go? All these are the core of the film.
How is the movie?
‘Game Changer’ is a Shankar style political action drama, with Ram Charan playing dual roles and S.J. Surya as a villain. The first half grips well with Ram Nandan’s introduction, action sequences and interval bang. Shankar’s signature grand visuals, Thiru’s cinematography and Thaman’s BGM elevate the first half. However, the second half is disappointing due to the stretched screenplay, lack of emotional depth and predictable twists. Although Appanna’s flashback episode is impressive, its integration with Ram Nandan’s story does not seem strong. The love track with Kiara Advani and the comedy scenes (Sunil, Vennela Kishore) are routine and dated. The climax usually ends with overstretched action sequences. Overall, this 2 hour 45 minute film is a decent theatre experience for Ram Charan fans and those who like mass political dramas. But, it will be a disappointment for those who are expecting the level or novelty of Shankar's iconic works ('Oke Okkadu', 'Bharatiyeudu').
How is the actors performance?
Ram Charan breathes life into the film in dual roles as Ram Nandan and Appanna. While Ram Nandan shows swag as a stylish IAS officer and intensity in action scenes, Appanna impresses with emotional depth in a rustic character with a speech issue. Appanna's scenes, especially the 'Arugu Maa' song sequence and the phone scene, touch the heart. S.J. Surya is amazing as Mopidevi, his screen presence, dialogue delivery, and confrontation scenes with Ram Charan are the highlights of the film. Anjali gave an emotional impact even in her limited screen time as Parvathi. Kiara Advani is enough with glamour and dance as Deepika, but her role lacks depth. Srikanth, Samudrakhani, Jayaram are decent, but Sunil, Vennela Kishore, and Satya's comedy is disappointing with stale humor. The supporting cast includes Naveen Chandra and Brahmanandam.
How is the technical work?
Thiru's cinematography is the biggest asset of 'Game Changer'. The songs and action sequences shot in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram locations as well as Japan, China, Malaysia, Cambodia, and New Zealand are a visual treat. The visuals of the songs 'Jaragandi' and 'Ra Maccha Maccha' are impressive, 'Arugu Mau' is emotionally touching, but the editing of the song 'Nana Hairana' is disappointing. Thaman's background score is well-executed in the elevation scenes, but the songs are average. Ruben and Shamir's editing was sharp in the first half, but it felt stretched in the second half. The production design by Avinash Kolla, Ramakrishna, and Monica is grand. Sai Madhav Burra's dialogues, especially in the Ram Charan-S.J. Surya scenes, are punchy. However, the VFX did not live up to expectations in some places, and the climax action scenes seemed overboard.
About the direction?
Shankar is a director who became a game changer in Indian cinema with iconic films like 'Oke Okkadu', 'Bharathiyeudu', and 'Aparichitudu'. However, while there were expectations that he would rebound with 'Game Changer' after 'Bharathiyeudu 2', this film did not live up to that level. Shankar showed his mark in the dual roles design of Ram Charan, the confrontation scenes with S.J. Surya, and the interval block. However, the lack of novelty in Karthik Subbaraj's story, routine political drama elements, and dated storytelling kept the film at an average level. Although the film was made with quick transitions to suit the Shankar reels era, the emotional core and screenplay depth were missing. While the concept of 'Moneyless Politics' is interesting, its execution remains at the surface level.Overall, Shankar has given a better output than ‘Bharatiyadu 2’ with this film, but it is far from his peak form.
Hits:
Ram Charan’s dual roles (Ram Nandan, Appanna), acting
S.J. Surya’s villainy, confrontation scenes with Ram Charan
Thiru’s cinematography, grand visuals, interval bang
Thaman’s BGM, songs ‘Jaragandi’, ‘Arugu Mau’
Anjali’s emotional performance, flashback episode
What's missing:
Lack of stretch and emotional depth in the second half
Kiara Advani's love track, routine comedy scenes
Predictable story, dated storytelling
Overstretched climax, subpar VFX
Supporting characters (Sunil, Naveen Chandra, Vennela Kishore) wasted
Final word:
'Game Changer' stands as a decent political action drama with Ram Charan's dual roles, S.J. Surya's villainy, and Shankar's grand visuals. The first half, interval block, and flashbacks elevate the film, but the pace drop, routine narration, and lack of emotional connect in the second half keep the film at an average level. For Ram Charan fans and those who like mass political thrillers, this movie is a whistle-blowing experience in the theater. However, those who are expecting Shankar's iconic form and a new story should lower their expectations. This movie, which is streaming on Amazon Prime Video from February 7, 2025, can be enjoyed more with the theater vibe. The movie, which competed with 'Daku Maharaj' and 'Sankranthikee Yaaraanam' in the Sankranthi clash, received a mixed response at the box office.
Recommendation: This movie is the best choice for those who like Ram Charan's mass avatar, Shankar's grand visuals, and political action dramas. There is some violence and mass dialogues, so beware of family audiences. Great to enjoy in the theater with friends!
Rating: 3/5