The much-anticipated trailer for Game Changer, the upcoming Telugu film directed by Shankar and starring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani, dropped on Thursday evening, setting the internet alight with a flurry of reactions. The film, set to release on 10 January, showcases Ram Charan in dual roles as both father and son. While the trailer has generated significant buzz, reactions on social media have been divided, with some fans praising the performances, while others have pointed out the familiarity of the themes.
As the trailer hit X (formerly Twitter), reactions ranged from cautious optimism to a sense of déjà vu, with many fans expressing mixed feelings about the film’s premise. One user who was impressed with Ram Charan’s performance in dual roles shared, “Me After watching Game Changer Trailer. How did you show so many variations?” highlighting his versatility. However, others were less enthusiastic, noting that the trailer felt like a rehash of Shankar’s past films. “Good Trailer cut of Game Changer, though the beats of the film we have seen a million times before, but as of now enough to bring audience to the theatres,” commented one user, acknowledging the predictability but still showing interest in the film.
Some fans expressed hope that the film might still surprise them. One fan compared the trailer to Ram Charan’s father, Chiranjeevi’s Waltair Veerayya, saying they were optimistic despite initial reservations. The trailer showcases Ram Charan in various roles, including a student, police officer, and IAS officer, alongside his father’s character as a political leader. The theme of a fight against corruption, which drives the story, seems to draw heavily from Shankar’s past works, with vigilante justice playing a central role.
Fans also drew comparisons to Shankar’s earlier hits, with some noting similarities to Mudhalvan (also known as Oke Okkadu) and Saamy Square. “Giving Mudhalvan vibes,” one fan posted on X, while another wrote, “Game Changer = Mudhalvan + Sivaji + Indian-2.” On Reddit, a user summed up the film’s potential by saying, “Typical Shankar template movie. Either blockbuster or disaster. UNPREDICTABLE.”
A particular shot of Ram Charan riding a horse in the trailer even sparked comparisons to Rajamouli’s Magadheera, with one user jokingly reminding the actor not to ride horses in films that aren’t directed by Rajamouli. At the trailer launch, Rajamouli himself humorously quipped to Charan about the horse-riding scene.
Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, Game Changer tells the story of an IAS officer, Ram, and a political leader, Appanna, both played by Ram Charan. The film features a strong supporting cast, including Anjali as Appanna’s wife, Kiara Advani as Ram’s love interest, and prominent actors such as Samuthirakani, SJ Suryah, Srikanth, Prakash Raj, and Sunil in key roles. The film’s story is penned by Subbaraj, with dialogues written by Sai Madhav Burra.
As the film’s release date draws near, Game Changer is proving to be a polarising subject, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting what Shankar’s signature direction will bring to the table this time.