Director Shankar’s debut Telugu film, Game Changer, featuring Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, and SJ Suryah, stands as a monumental exploration of electoral politics. Known for his grand narratives since his 1993 breakthrough with Gentleman, Shankar sticks to his signature style, delivering a blend of nostalgia and predictability.
Ram Nandan (played by Ram Charan) is a fiery yet upright officer who transitions from an IPS to an IAS role, driven by an unshakable commitment to eradicate corruption in Vizag. His determination pits him against Mopidevi (SJ Suryah), a scheming politician hungry for power, setting the stage for an intense political drama.
While Ram claims to be “unpredictable,” Game Changer doesn’t stray from the tried-and-true formula of commercial cinema. The outcome feels predetermined, as the hero’s victory is a given in such narratives. This predictability undercuts the tension, even as the film aims to surprise.
Shankar places the emotional weight of Game Changer on a brief yet impactful portion involving Ram as Appanna, an activist championing the cause of the downtrodden, and Anjali as his wife, Parvathy, a Tappeta Gullu artist. This segment is the heart of the film, providing a refreshing departure from the grandiosity that dominates the rest.
The romantic subplot between Ram Charan’s character and Kiara Advani’s Deepika feels like a mere formality. While Kiara does her best with the material, Deepika is written as the archetypal heroine—a kind-hearted woman whose sole purpose is to steer the hero in the right direction. The love story lacks substance and fails to leave a lasting impact.
Karthik Subbaraj has penned Game Changer’s story; maybe he intended it to be something more…something different. But the version you get, while entertaining, feels rehashed from Shankar’s previous works – you even get Muqabla and Mudhalvan (Oke Okkadu) references. And unlike the 90s, in 2025, you know when he’s testing the limits of logic.