KKN Gurugram Desk | The much-anticipated political thriller, Game Changer, headlined by Ram Charan and directed by Shankar, hit cinemas worldwide on January 10, 2025. With a star-studded cast including Kiara Advani, Anjali, Samuthirakani, S. J. Suryah, and Jayaram, the film generated significant buzz before its release. Ram Charan’s portrayal of dual roles—a father and son—added to the intrigue surrounding the movie.

Box Office Performance: A Dismal Decline

Despite an extravagant budget of ₹450 crore, the film has struggled to meet expectations at the box office. Here’s how the collections have fared:

• First Five Days:

  • India Net Collection: ₹106.15 crore
  • Worldwide Gross Collection: ₹154.50 crore
• Day 6:
  • Estimated earnings dropped to just ₹6.50 crore, marking its lowest box office day yet.

With this trajectory, Game Changer is expected to fall short of the ₹200 crore mark globally, potentially making it one of Indian cinema’s biggest flops.

Shankar’s Streak of Disappointments

The film’s failure would mark Shankar’s second consecutive box office bomb. His previous film, Indian 2, starring Kamal Haasan, also underperformed in 2024, grossing ₹148 crore worldwide against a budget of ₹250 crore.

Competition from Other Releases

Game Changer faces stiff competition from other major films:

• Daaku Maharaaj: The Nandamuri Balakrishna-starrer action thriller released on January 12.
• Sankranthiki Vasthunam: Venkatesh’s action-comedy film released on January 14.

Both these movies are attracting larger audiences, further denting the box office performance of Game Changer.

Controversies Over Box Office Figures

The makers of Game Changer have come under scrutiny for allegedly inflating box office numbers. While the production team claimed an opening-day worldwide gross of ₹186 crore, trade analysts and portals like Sacnilk reported a significantly lower figure of ₹86 crore. This ₹100 crore discrepancy has raised questions about the credibility of the reported numbers.

Audience and Critics’ Reception

The film’s lackluster performance is attributed to:

1. Weak Storyline: Critics and audiences have pointed out inconsistencies in the plot.
2. Overhyped Marketing: The massive pre-release buzz raised expectations, but the content failed to deliver.
3. Poor Competition Strategy: Releasing amidst other major films like Daaku Maharaaj proved detrimental.

Game Changer’s Cast and Production

Key Highlights:

• Ram Charan: Plays a double role, showcasing his versatility.
• Kiara Advani: The female lead, adding charm to the film.
• Shankar: Known for grandiose storytelling, but failed to strike a chord this time.
• Massive Budget: At ₹450 crore, one of the most expensive films in Indian cinema

With declining daily collections and mounting competition, Game Changer appears to be a commercial failure. This underperformance could impact the careers of its lead actors and the reputation of director Shankar. However, the true test lies in the film’s digital release and satellite rights performance, which might salvage some losses.