The new year kicks off with the much-anticipated release of Game Changer, which hit theaters today, January 10. Featuring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani in lead roles, the film marks renowned director S. Shankar’s debut in Telugu cinema. Given Shankar’s history of delivering blockbusters, expectations for Game Changer were sky-high. However, early reviews from audiences suggest the movie might not have lived up to the hype.
Game Changer Review
Audience reactions poured in on social media platform X following the first-day-first-show screenings. One viewer expressed disappointment, criticizing the film for its lackluster execution. According to the reviewer, the protagonist’s entry sequence, meant to be a grand and thrilling moment, felt overly exaggerated and unrealistic. They described the slow-motion shots as “cringe-worthy” and the dramatic background music as overwhelming, which detracted from the scene’s impact. Rather than creating an awe-inspiring introduction, the sequence left viewers underwhelmed, with some even feeling it diminished the film’s overall quality. This sentiment contributed to the perception of the film as lacking the finesse expected of such a high-profile release.
#Gamechanger First Half Review :
– #RamCharan Entry 🔥🔥💥💥
– #RaaMachaMacha Song Rich Visuals 👍👌
– Love track ( Chemistry Between #KiaraAdvani & #RamCharan) 👌👌
– #DHOP Song (Dance & Visuals) 🔥🔥🔥💥💥💥
– Writing Was Good
– Elevations 🔥🔥🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/SuaxevBeBa— Australian Telugu Films (@AuTelugu_Films) January 9, 2025
Another viewer shared their dissatisfaction with the film, describing it as underwhelming and forgettable. Highlighting a few positives, they noted the visually stunning songs, Thaman’s impressive score, and Tirru’s captivating cinematography, along with a moderately engaging first half. However, they concluded that these aspects were not enough to salvage the film, calling it an otherwise “forgettable mega cringe fest.” The fan also criticized director Shankar, suggesting that his approach felt outdated for today’s audience.
Adding to the criticism, another user labeled Game Changer as one of the “worst movies in Ram Charan’s career,” reflecting the polarized reception the film has received from fans and critics alike.
Criticism of Game Changer centered heavily on its first half, with one viewer urging others to skip the film. “Don’t fall for the hype and waste your money,” they wrote, describing the first half as outdated, with a weak screenplay and average direction that failed to engage.
While Ram Charan’s performance received widespread praise, many felt that Shankar’s direction fell short of expectations. One viewer noted, “Apart from the flashback Appanna sequence, there’s nothing fresh or exciting. Charan’s performance as Appanna is incredible, but overall, it’s not a worthy Sankranti release.”
However, the movie did manage to strike a chord with some audiences. Several viewers appreciated the chemistry between Ram Charan and Kiara Advani, as well as the film’s vibrant visuals and energetic musical sequences. “The first half of Game Changer delivers with Ram Charan’s electrifying entry, stunning visuals in ‘Raa Macha Macha,’ strong chemistry between Kiara and Ram, and the high-energy DHOP song. Good writing and well-executed elevations add to the impact,” read a positive comment.
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Game Changer Box Office Collection Day 1
According to trade reports from Sacnilk, the highly-anticipated film is off to a strong start at the box office, with an estimated Day 1 collection of approximately ₹43.55 crore.
The movie benefited from impressive advance bookings, with significant ticket sales across various formats, including 2D, 3D, and 4Dx, and in multiple languages such as Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada.
In detail, the Telugu 2D version recorded modest bookings with only seven tickets sold, while the Tamil version secured around 49,000 pre-sales. The Hindi version, however, emerged as a standout, with approximately 1.4 lakh tickets sold ahead of the release. These numbers suggest that Game Changer has garnered considerable attention and is set for a promising opening at the box office.
About Game Changer: Cast, Plot, and More
Produced on a grand scale with a budget of nearly ₹400 crores, Game Changer delves into the themes of corruption and justice. Ram Charan takes on a dual role, portraying both Ram Nandan, a principled IAS officer, and his father, Appanna.
The film also stars Kiara Advani as the female lead and Ram’s love interest, while Anjali plays his mother. SJ Suryah delivers a compelling performance as the antagonist, Chief Minister Bobbili Mopidevi. Directed by S. Shankar and produced by Dil Raju, Adityaram, and Sireesh, Game Changer aims to deliver a powerful narrative with high-octane drama and visual grandeur.
