Director Shankar’s Telugu debut, Game Changer, starring Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, and SJ Suryah, brings his familiar style to the screen. While it doesn’t quite capture the magic of his earlier works, it still offers an engaging experience. This film, much like his previous ones, deals with big themes such as corruption and power, but it doesn’t feel as fresh or innovative as some of his past successes.
Game Changer Storyline: A Clash of Integrity and Corruption
Game Changer follows the story of Ram Nandan (Ram Charan), an IPS officer who turns IAS and is dedicated to bringing about a corruption-free Vizag. However, his idealism faces off against the power-hungry and morally corrupt politician Mopidevi (SJ Suryah), who will stop at nothing to achieve his political goals. Alongside this, the film explores the inner conflict of the Andhra Pradesh CM, Satyamurthy (Srikanth), who grapples with the consequences of his past misdeeds.
Despite Ram Charan’s character being touted as unpredictable, the movie follows a predictable path, with the hero ultimately prevailing. Shankar’s films often operate within this formula, which brings a certain comfort to fans but also limits the film’s originality.
Appanna and Parvathy: The Heart of the Film
While the main storyline focuses on Ram Nandan’s battle against corruption, it’s the side plot involving Ram Charan’s character Appanna, and his wife Parvathy (Anjali) that truly stands out. As activists fighting for the underprivileged, their segment brings depth and emotional weight to the film. The performances from both actors are heartfelt, especially Ram Charan, who delivers one of his best performances to date. This portion of the film, shot with warmer colors and accompanied by a smoother music score, stands apart from the rest of the movie, offering a more intimate and emotional experience.
The Familiar Shankar Formula
Anyone who has seen Shankar’s previous films knows what to expect: grand sets, colorful songs, and a hero who fights for justice. Game Changer has its fair share of such moments, with songs like “Dhop” and “Jaragandi” adding to the visual appeal. However, the love story between Ram Charan and Kiara Advani’s characters feels like a typical addition without much substance. Kiara plays the role of the perfect heroine, who helps guide the hero, but her character lacks depth.
Shankar’s films often paint everything in broad strokes. The villain, Mopidevi, is simply evil without any real explanation, and the moral grey areas that could add complexity to the story are missing. This straightforward approach makes the film fast-paced and engaging but also leaves certain plotlines underdeveloped, like the relationship between Mopidevi and his brother or the connection between Appanna’s story and Ram Nandan’s journey.
The Limitations of Familiarity
Though the film is engaging, it struggles to offer something new. The story, written by Karthik Subbaraj, feels recycled from Shankar’s earlier hits, with references to Muqabla and Mudhalvan. While the film successfully highlights corruption in Indian politics, it doesn’t go beyond this message. Unlike Shankar’s earlier films from the 90s and 2000s, Game Changer lacks the spark that made his older works iconic.
In the end, Game Changer delivers exactly what it promises—an entertaining film with a strong message about corruption. However, it doesn’t quite live up to the high standards set by Shankar’s earlier works. It’s a solid film, but it lacks the magic that could have made it something truly special.
