Game Changer: S Shankar Reflects on Telugu Debut Amid Mixed Reviews and Box Office Success

Shankar’s Telugu debut, Game Changer, starring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani, has seen success at the box office despite receiving largely negative reviews.

While the movie’s performance has been commendable, it may not have reached its full potential due to its mixed reception.

Speaking to Behindwoods TV, Shankar shared his dissatisfaction with the final product, stating, “I am not completely satisfied with the output of Game Changer. I should have done better. Many good scenes have been trimmed due to time constraints. Total duration came down to more than five hours. We have cut down a few things to acquire a sculpture.”

Shankar’s Legacy of Lengthy Films

Shankar is well-known for creating lengthy films. His previous directorial venture, Indian 2, was split into two parts as the complete story could not be contained within three hours.

The first part, Indian, released in 1996, became a cult vigilante classic starring Kamal Haasan. Indian 2, which debuted last year, will be followed by Indian 3 later this year.

The sequels feature Kamal Haasan alongside Siddharth, Rakul Preet Singh, and Gulshan Grover.

Anurag Kashyap’s Perspective on Shankar

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap commented on Shankar’s recent work.

While acknowledging Shankar’s dip in form, Kashyap expressed confidence in his ability to rebound, citing the resilience of Tamil master filmmakers like Mani Ratnam.

Kashyap remarked, “Shankar claiming that he made Game Changer keeping in mind the audience who watches Instagram Reels only shows that the directors he once considered ‘chefs’ have now become ‘caterers.’”

However, Shankar clarified that Kashyap had misinterpreted his statement, emphasizing that he did not compare filmmaking to Instagram Reels.

Box Office Performance of Game Changer

Released on January 10 in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, Game Changer has crossed the ₹1,000 crore mark at the domestic box office.

Despite mixed reviews, the film earned ₹106.15 crore within five days of its Sankranti release.

Ram Charan, who plays dual roles of father and son in the political thriller, celebrated the film’s success with a heartfelt note to fans, thanking them for their unwavering support.

“Your unwavering love and support mean the world to me. Game Changer will always hold a special place in my heart,” wrote Charan.

The movie’s supporting cast includes Kiara Advani, SJ Suryah, Jayaram, and Vennela Kishore. Written by Karthik Subbaraj and produced by Sri Venkateswara Creations, Game Changer continues to perform steadily at the box office.

Behind the Scenes: Shankar’s Editing Process

Shankar revealed that the initial runtime of Game Changer exceeded five hours.

“Some good scenes and situations were removed during trimming,” he explained. “It’s like sculpting; if we leave it as it is, it’s just a marble.” He also noted that despite the mixed reviews, the movie’s sculpted final form is the best possible version given the constraints.

Ahead of the release, music label Saregama claimed to have spent ₹75 crore on four songs: “Jaragandi,” “Dhop,” “Naanaa Hyraanan,” and “Raa Macha Macha.”

Saregama revealed that “Jaragandi” alone featured 600 dancers and was filmed over 13 days on a massive 70-foot village set. The other songs incorporated 1,000 dancers and were shot in international locations.

Shankar refuted these claims, stating, “It is not true. People have even been saying our film has increased its revenue by four times.”

A Look Back at Shankar’s Recent Ventures

Before Game Changer, Shankar directed Indian 2, which also received mixed reviews. While Game Changer was announced in February 2021, it took nearly four years to complete.

With a budget exceeding ₹400 crore, the film’s earnings of ₹107 crore in India within a week fell short of expectations.

Despite the challenges, Game Changer remains notable as Ram Charan’s first lead role since RRR in 2022.

Shankar’s admission of his dissatisfaction underscores the complexity of creating cinematic experiences that satisfy both creators and audiences.