Game Changer Review: Outdated And Unappealing

Movie: Game Changer
Rating: 2.25/5
Banner: Sri Venkateswara Creations
Cast: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, SJ Suryah, Srikanth, Samuthirakhani, Naveen Chandra, Sunil, Vennela Kishore, Brahmanandam, and others
Story: Karthik Subbaraj
Dialogues: Sai Madhav Burra
Music: S Thaman
DOP: Thirunavukarasu
Action: Anbariv
Editor: Ruben, Shameer Muhammed
Producers: Dil Raju – Shirish
Screenplay and Directed by: Shankar
Release Date: Jan 10, 2025

“Game Changer,” which was in production for over three years, has finally hit the screens today. Directed by Shankar, a stalwart of the South Indian film industry for nearly 25 years, this marks his debut in Telugu cinema. The film is also the biggest production venture of Dil Raju.

Let’s see if it lives up to the high expectations.

Story:
Upon assuming office as the district collector, Ram Nandan (Ram Charan) swiftly puts an end to all illicit activities, including those involving the Chief Minister’s son, Mopidevi (SJ Suryah). Chief Minister Bobbili Satyamurthy (Srikanth) urges party members, MLAs, and ministers to abandon corruption and embrace good governance. However, Mopidevi secretly plots his father’s demise.

Amid several developments, Satyamurthy, before his death, names Ram Nandan as his successor and the next Chief Minister. However, Mopidevi has other plans.

The rest of the story unfolds as a power struggle between Ram Nandan and Mopidevi, along with revelations about Ram Nandan’s father, Appanna (also played by Ram Charan), who envisioned introducing a new era of politics in the state.

Artistes’ Performances:
Ram Charan’s talent as both an actor and a star shines in several key moments, particularly in a few dramatic episodes where he plays dual roles. While the film primarily focuses on Ram Nandan, an IAS officer, it also dedicates a significant portion to showcasing his other character, Appanna. Although Ram Charan delivers a strong performance as Appanna, his portrayal of the IAS officer Ram Nandan is particularly captivating.

Anjali has the most substantial role after Ram Charan. Though the talented actress attempted to deliver a commendable performance as Parvathi, the writing and character showcasing is weak. 

Kiara Advani, cast in a conventional heroine role, looks stunning but has limited screen presence, appearing primarily in the song sequences.

SJ Suryah excels as the cunning politician Mopidevi, delivering a terrific performance with his signature quirks, particularly shining in the second half.

Srikanth takes on a significant role and does justice to it, while Sunil plays a minor “side” character which is the most irritating.

However, the pointless so-called comedic roles by Vennela Kishore and Brahmanandam feel outdated, reflecting director Shankar’s old-fashioned approach to humor, which comes across as tiresome.

Technical Excellence:
Director Shankar has long been a trailblazer in South Indian cinema, known for presenting stories with grandiose style, high technical standards, opulent visuals, and songs filmed on magnificent sets or in stunning, unexplored locations. Game Changer is no exception, showcasing his signature technical brilliance. The visuals are breathtaking, with Thirunavukarasu capturing every frame in spectacular style.

While Thaman's songs are merely average to listen to, they are visually impressive. However, the background score is bad and not at all captivtaing. 

The editors have made every effort to keep the pace engaging, but the screenplay and dialogues remain formulaic. Producer Dil Raju has invested heavily in Shankar’s vision, and the high production values are evident in every frame.

Highlights:
Lavish production values
Ram Charan’s portrayal
SJ Suryah

Drawback:
Predictability
Shankar’s direction lacks contemporary feel
Lack of emotional moments
Boring romantic track
Clumsy pre-climax and climax moments

Analysis
Game Changer is a political drama. Shankar’s earlier films like Oke Okkadu, which explored the concept of a "One-Day CM," and Bharateeyudu, advocating corruption-free governance, resonated strongly with audiences. Thirty years later, Shankar attempts to craft a political drama relevant to today’s generation. However, his efforts falter significantly, as seen in Bharateeyudu 2 and again in this film, where he presents the idea of "moneyless politics."

It is evident that Shankar's political concepts and narratives feel outdated. For the most part, Game Changer lacks a clear direction. The theme of "moneyless politics" is addressed only in a flashback episode after the intermission. The first half and the events following the flashback are formulaic and filled with antiquated ideas.

The narrative begins predictably, with Ram Charan introduced as a district collector through an opening fight sequence, followed by an elaborate portrayal of his strict work ethic. The story then shifts to the romance between Ram Charan and Kiara Advani, tracing their relationship from medical college to the present. However, these college and romantic episodes are extremely tedious.

One scene, in particular, exemplifies the cringe-worthy romantic elements: Ram Charan, as the district collector, avoids entering the district where Kiara resides due to jurisdictional restrictions. Brahmanandam, portraying the district collector of Kiara's area, confronts Ram Charan and warns him against crossing district boundaries. Kiara then crosses the line herself, embracing him, followed by a duet. Such scenes highlight Shankar’s outdated approach to romance.

Fortunately, the film picks up just before the intermission, setting an effective tone. The post-intermission flashback introduces Appanna (also played by Ram Charan) and his political ideology. However, once the flashback ends, the film transitions into a predictable conflict between Ram Charan and SJ Suryah. The sequence where Ram Charan advises voters to accept bribes but not vote for corrupt parties, juxtaposed with SJ Suryah's political scheming, feels formulaic.

Among these sequences, only Anjali’s scene stands out, while the rest of the climax is cringe-inducing. The film concludes on a tiring note.

Shankar has previously made films set against a political backdrop that felt convincing. However, this is by far his silliest film, where his lack of political understanding is glaringly obvious. Times have changed. People are now well-informed and no longer get carried away by superficial narratives. While rules and powers may be outlined in the rulebook or constitution, their practical implementation must also feel plausible—this is where the film falls short.

Instances like a district collector facing the threat of the collector of the neighboring district for not taking Chief Secretary's permission to enter his district to meet his lover; an MLA constituency having a voter count of nearly 14 lakh, and a Chief Minister appointing a random IAS officer as his successor all come across as cringeworthy and unrealistic to today's audience. These elements undermine the film's credibility in the modern context.

In summary, Game Changer is a formulaic political drama presented in a typical commercial format. Despite Ram Charan’s dynamic performance as a collector, and a flashback sequence, and lavish production values, the film’s predictable storyline, outdated concepts, and cringeworthy moments overshadow its strengths. It's an outdated narrative with no emotional highs.

Bottom-line: Lost Game