Game Changer (film)

Upcoming film directed by S. Shankar

Game Changer

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| S. Shankar
Screenplay by| S. Shankar
Dialogues by| Sai Madhav Burra
Story by| Karthik Subbaraj
Produced by|

* Dil Raju
* Sirish

Starring|

* Ram Charan
* S. J. Suryah
* Anjali
* Kiara Advani
* Samuthirakani
* Srikanth
* Sunil

Cinematography| Tirru
Edited by| Shameer Muhammed
Ruben
Music by| S. Thaman

Production
companies

Sri Venkateswara Creations
Zee Studios

Distributed by| AA Films (North India)
Phars Film (International)

Release date

* 10 January 2025 (2025-01-10)

Country| India
Language| Telugu
Budget| est. ₹200–400 crore[1][2]

Game Changer is an upcoming Indian Telugu-language political action drama film written and directed by S. Shankar, based on a story written by Karthik Subbaraj. Produced by Sri Venkateswara Creations and Zee Studios, the film stars Ram Charan, alongside Kiara Advani, Anjali, Samuthirakani, S. J. Suryah, Srikanth, Prakash Raj and Sunil.

Principal photography commenced in October 2021 and concluded in July 2024 after several delays. Filming locations included Hyderabad, New Zealand, Andhra Pradesh, Mumbai, and Chandigarh. The film has music composed by Thaman S, cinematography handled by Tirru and editing by Shameer Muhammed.

It is scheduled to release on 10 January 2025, coinciding with Sankranti.

## Premise

[edit]

Ram Nandan, an IAS officer strives to combat corrupt politicians by advocating for fair elections to transform the workings ways of the government.[3]

## Cast

[edit]

* Ram Charan as H. Ram Nandan IAS
* S. J. Suryah
* Anjali
* Kiara Advani as "Jabilamma", Ram's love interest
* Prakash Raj
* Nassar
* Samuthirakani
* Srikanth as Bobbili Sathyamurthy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
* Jayaram
* Praveena
* Naveen Chandra
* Murali Sharma
* Sunil
* Subhalekha Sudhakar
* Rajeev Kanakala
* Satya as Ram's friend
* Priyadarshi Pulikonda as Ram's friend
* Chaitanya Krishna as Ram's friend
* Ashwin Kakamanu as Ram's friend

## Production

[edit]

### Development

[edit]

In early February 2021, it was reported that S. Shankar and Ram Charan would collaborate for a film, which would be simultaneously shot in Telugu and Tamil languages.[4] The project was funded by Dil Raju and Sirish's Sri Venkateswara Creations, in their maiden collaboration with Shankar and Charan and was officially announced on 12 February, under the working title RC15 (as it is Charan's 15th film as the lead actor) and SVC50.[5] The film's official title, Game Changer, was announced on 27 March 2023, on the occasion of Charan's birthday.[6] Shankar initially estimated the production cost at ₹250 crore (US$30 million). However, by July 2024, reports indicated that the budget had risen to ₹400 crore (US$48 million),[2] though The Times of India in the same month estimated it at ₹200 crore (US$24 million).[1]

### Pre-production

[edit]

Director Karthik Subbaraj wrote the film's original story with Shankar writing the screenplay.[7] Sai Madhav Burra contributed to the dialogues.[8] Tirru was signed on as the cinematographer, marking his maiden collaboration with Shankar.[9] The remaining technical team of the film consisted of editor Shameer Muhammed,[10] action choreographer duo Anbariv, and art director Avinash Kolla.[11] Thaman S would score the music in his first collaboration with Shankar as music director.[12] Dance choreographers of the film include Jani Master, Prem Rakshith, Prabhu Deva, Bosco Martis, Ganesh Acharya, and Sandy Master.[11]

### Casting

[edit]

Charan reportedly plays a dual role as a father and son.[13] In July 2021 it was announced that Kiara Advani was signed on to be the lead actress which marks her second collaboration with Charan after Vinaya Vidheya Rama.[14] Anjali was cast in a pivotal role, while Sunil, Srikanth, Jayaram, and Naveen Chandra were all confirmed to be a part of the film.[15] S. J. Suryah was confirmed to be part of the film in September 2022.[16]

### Filming

[edit]

The film was formally launched with a muhurat shot on 8 September 2021 at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad with a traditional pooja ceremony attended by Ranveer Singh, Chiranjeevi, and S. S. Rajamouli.[17][18]

Principal photography began on 22 October 2021 and the first schedule was completed in the first week of November. Filming took place in Maharashtra at Pune, Satara and Phaltan.[19] Later that month, a song was shot for 10 days, at a specially erected set in Ramoji Film City. The song, which also included international dancers, was choreographed by Jani Master.[20] The Times of India reported that nearly ₹23 crore (US$2.8 million) was spent on the song.[21] During the schedule, the team also shot a 7-minute action sequence at a reported cost of ₹70 crore (US$8.4 million). Anbariv and others were hired to design these action sequences in the film.[22]

The third schedule for the film commenced in February 2022.[23] Planned for about 20 days, the shoot took place in Andhra Pradesh at Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Kovvur and other nearby places of West Godavari and East Godavari districts.[24][25] Later the same month, it was reported that filming for Indian 2, also directed by Shankar, which the production was halted for two and a half years,[26] would take place after wrapping up the film shoot.[27] Charan took a break from filming to take part in the success celebrations of RRR and returned to filming in April. Charan and Advani began a 20-day schedule at Amritsar in April, to film their college portions.[28][29] For undisclosed reasons, R. Rathnavelu joined the unit in Amritsar to complete the remaining portions in place of Tirru.[30] In May, the crew shot a schedule in Visakhapatnam.[31]

By July 2022, 60% of the filming was completed with Shankar intending to wrap up filming by December. Earlier the same month, a massive song involving around 1000 dancers was shot in Punjab and Hyderabad. After the song shoot, an action sequence involving 1200 fighters was planned.[32] [33] In August, Shankar confirmed that he would be shooting both Game Changer and Indian 2, simultaneously.[34] The filming was planned to resume in early September in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.[34] In November 2022, 10 days of a schedule was filmed in New Zealand, where the team picturized an expensive song across multiple exotic locations in the country.[33]

In February 2023, filming resumed with a few scenes shot at Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management, Visakhapatnam, followed by Simhachalam and Charminar.[35][36] A few pictures of scenes from the set were leaked online during the filming at the university.[37] In March 2023, a song involving 100 dancers, choreographed by Prabhu Deva, was shot.[38] In April 2023, Shankar revealed that he would be shooting the climactic scenes soon.[39] On 26 April 2023, filming of the climactic scenes started under the supervision of Anbariv, in a special set in Shamshabad.[40] Charan shot high combat scenes with 1200 fighters for the same.[41] On 9 May, filming of the climax was wrapped.[42] In July, an action sequence choreographed by Peter Hein was wrapped in Hyderabad.[43] Mysore schedule was started on 23 November,[44] and was wrapped early December.[45] In late December, a short schedule in Hyderabad, featuring Srikanth, Samuthirakani, S. J. Suryah, and others was wrapped up.[46] The final schedule was completed in July 2024.[47]

## Music

[edit]

Game Changer

Soundtrack album by

Thaman S.

Released| 2024
Recorded| 2021–2024
Studio|

* YRF, Mumbai
* Studio28, Bangkok

Genre| Film soundtrack
Language| Telugu
Label| Saregama
Producer| Thaman S.
Thaman S. chronology
| OG
(2024)  | Game Changer
(2024)  | Baby John
(2024)

|
|

Singles from  Game Changer

1. "Jaragandi"
Released: 27 March 2024
2. "Raa Macha Macha"
Released: 30 September 2024

The film's soundtrack and score are composed by Thaman S, in his first musical collaboration, along with his second overall collaboration, with Shankar, after making his acting debut in Boys (2003).[48] It also marks the fourth time Shankar is working with another music composer besides his regular collaborator, A. R. Rahman. Thaman composed and recorded an introduction song on 14–15 July 2021 in Hyderabad, with the help of 135 musicians.[49] The audio rights for the film were acquired by Saregama.[50]

The song "Jaragandi" was leaked online in September 2023, which was reportedly made on a budget of ₹15 crore.[51] Later, the makers announced the song as the first single which would be released on Diwali 2023.[52] However, the highly negative response from the audience prompted Thaman to change the singers, delaying the official release of the song.[53][54] It released on 27 March 2024, on the occasion of Charan's 39th birthday to mixed reviews criticizing it's composition.[55] The second single titled "Raa Macha Macha" was released on 30 September 2024.[56]

No.| Title| Lyrics| Singer(s)| Length

|
|
|
|

1.| "Jaragandi"| Anantha Sriram| Daler Mehndi, Sunidhi Chauhan| 4:20
2.| "Raa Macha Macha"| Anantha Sriram| Nakash Aziz| 4:32

## Release

[edit]

### Theatrical

[edit]

Game Changer is scheduled to release on 10 January 2025, coinciding Sankranti.[57] Previously, the film was announced to release on Christmas 2024, but due to unfinished post-production work it was eventually postponed.[58][59]

Distribution

Zee Studios initially bought the distribution rights of the film for ₹50 crore.[60] But in April 2024, it was revealed that AA Films is also involved on distributing the film in North India.[61]

### Home media

[edit]

The digital distribution rights of the film were acquired by Amazon Prime Video for ₹105 crore and satellite rights have been acquired by Zee Telugu.[62]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Ram Charan's 'Game Changer': What fans can expect". The Times of India. 13 July 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
2. ^ a b Prakash, B. V. S. (5 February 2024). "Game Changer budget escalates, set to touch Rs 400 cr". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
3. ^ "Game Changer: 5 things we know about Ram Charan, Kiara Advani's film so far". Hindustan Times. "The story was provided by Amazon Prime Video on a press note."
4. ^ "Ram Charan to team up with director Shankar for a historical drama?". The Times of India. 12 February 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
5. ^ "Ram Charan will team up with director Shankar, confirms Sri Venkateswara Creations". The Times of India. 12 February 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
6. ^ "Ram Charan announces his film RC 15 is titled Game Changer; Kiara Advani wishes her 'dearest friend' on 38th birthday". Hindustan Times. 27 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
7. ^ "Not Shankar, but Karthik Subbaraj wrote the story of Ram Charan's RC 15. Read details". India Today. 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
8. ^ "Ram Charan & Shankar's 'RC15' to be wrapped up by December". The Times of India. 7 July 2022. Archived from the original on 11 July 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
9. ^ Rajaraman, Kaushik (24 April 2022). "Tirru, still the DoP of RC15, to rejoin the team soon". DT next. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
10. ^ "Shameer Muhammed in Shankar's RC15 with Ram Charan". The Times of India. 20 December 2021. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
11. ^ a b "Ram Charan's new film titled Game Changer". The News Minute. 27 March 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
12. ^ "Thaman on board to compose music for RC15". www.dtnext.in. 6 July 2021. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
13. ^ "Ram Charan plays a double role in RC 15". Cinema Express. 22 February 2022. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
14. ^ "Kiara Advani to share screen with Ram Charan for the second time in Shankar's #RC15". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
15. ^ "#RC15 muhurtam pooja: Cast and crew of Shankar's Ram Charan and Kiara Advani starrer revealed". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 May 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
16. ^ "SJ Suryah Joins Shankar-Ram Charan's RC15, Remuneration Revealed". News18. 10 September 2022. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
17. ^ The Hindu Net Desk (8 September 2021). "Shankar and Ram Charan's 'RC15' launched, new poster released". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
18. ^ K., Janani (8 September 2021). "Ram Charan, Shankar's film RC15 to launch today. Ranveer Singh, Rajamouli, Chiranjeevi to attend". India Today. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
19. ^ Srivastava, Samriddhi (3 November 2021). "Ram Charan, Kiara Advani wrap up first schedule of Shankar's RC15". India Today. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
20. ^ "RC 15: International dancers roped in for Ram Charan's next with Shankar". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
21. ^ "'RC 15': Shankar spends crores on a single song; Deets inside". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
22. ^ "Director Shankar to Spend Rs 70 Crore for 7-minute Action Sequence in Ram Charan's RC 15". News18. 10 November 2021. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
23. ^ K., Janani (14 February 2022). "Ram Charan lands in Rajahmundry for RC15 shoot, gets mobbed by fans. Watch video". India Today. Archived from the original on 15 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
24. ^ "Ram Charan : గోదావరి జిల్లాల్లో RC15 షూటింగ్.. | RC 15 shooting in godavari districts". 10TV (in Telugu). 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
25. ^ "Ram Charan and Shankar to resume 'RC15' shoot". Telangana Today. 2 February 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
26. ^ "Kajal Aggarwal to make acting comeback after welcoming first child, to join Indian 2 sets from September". Hindustan Times. 5 August 2022. Archived from the original on 23 August 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
27. ^ "Indian 2 shooting to resume only after Vikram and RC15 are wrapped up". The Times of India. 22 February 2022. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
28. ^ "Ram Charan shoots at Amritsar University for Shankar's directorial 'RC15' along with Kiara Advani". The Times of India. 6 April 2022. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022.
29. ^ "Here's what Ram Charan and Kiara Advani are up to in Amritsar". Filmfare. 6 April 2022. Archived from the original on 11 April 2022.
30. ^ "Tirru, still the DoP of RC15, to rejoin the team soon". DT NEXT. 24 April 2022. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
31. ^ Janani, K. (6 May 2022). "Ram Charan resumes Shankar's RC 15 in Vizag, tells Upasana that holiday has to wait. See pic". India Today. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
32. ^ "Ram Charan Game Changer: రామ్‌చ‌ర‌ణ్ ఫ్యాన్స్‌కు గుడ్‌న్యూస్ - గేమ్‌ఛేంజ‌ర్‌ సూప‌ర్ అప్‌డేట్ రివీల్ చేసిన‌ శంక‌ర్‌". Hindustan Times Telugu. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
33. ^ a b "RC 15 EXCLUSIVE: Ram Charan & Kiara Advani shoot for song with 1000 dancers; Film wrap by Shankar in December". Pinkvilla. 5 July 2022. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
34. ^ a b "Shankar gears up to resume Ram Charan's 'RC15' shooting". The Times of India. 26 August 2022. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
35. ^ "Ram Charan to act as an IAS officer and a politician in RC15: Leaked Reports". News18. 13 February 2023. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
36. ^ "RC15: Ram Charan heads to Vizag with furry friend Rhyme for shoot of Shankar's film". Pinkvilla. 4 May 2022. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
37. ^ "Ram Charan's Grand Entry With A Chopper From The Sets Of RC 15 Is Winning The Internet". News18. 13 February 2023. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
38. ^ "RC 15 Team, Prabhu Deva Welcome Ram Charan on Film's Sets With Naatu Naatu Dance; Watch Viral Video". News18. 19 March 2023. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
39. ^ "Shankar gives interesting updates about Indian 2 and Game Changer". 18 April 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
40. ^ Arikatla, Venkat (26 April 2023). "KGF Masters Design Massive Climax for Game Changer". greatandhra.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
41. ^ "Charan's Fight With 1200 Folks In Game Changer Climax". indiaherald.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
42. ^ "Shankar wraps up 'Game Changer' climax; moves to 'Indian 2'". The Times of India. 10 May 2023. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
43. ^ "Ram Charan's Game Changer: Stage set for a high-octane action episode, latest schedule update here". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
44. ^ "New Shooting Schedule Of Ram Charan-starrer Game Changer Out". News18. 22 November 2023. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
45. ^ "Ram Charan visits Chamundeshwari temple in Mysuru while shooting for Game Changer; fans mob him for photos. Watch". Hindustan Times. 3 December 2023. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
46. ^ "Latest update on Ram Charan's Game Changer". 31 December 2023. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
47. ^ "It's a wrap for Ram Charan-Shankar's 'Game Changer'". The Hindu. 8 July 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
48. ^ "Music director Thaman joins Shankar-RamCharan's #RC15". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
49. ^ "Composer Thaman is excited to be on board for 'brother' Ram Charan's RC15". 19 July 2021. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
50. ^ "Saregama Secures The Audio Rights Of Ram Charan-starrer Game Changer". News18. 8 November 2023. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
51. ^ "Game Changer Song Made on Whopping Budget Leaked, Makers Furious". Deccan Chronicle. 16 September 2023. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
52. ^ "'Game Changer': First track 'Jaragandi' from Ram Charan-Kiara Advani starrer to be out on this date". The Times of India. 24 October 2023. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
53. ^ "Thaman unsatisfied with Game Changer 1st single". TrackTollywood. 11 November 2023. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
54. ^ ["Reason Reason behind the postponement of the Game Changer song?] behind the postponement of the Game Changer song?". India Herald. Archived from the original on 2 January 2024. Retrieved 2 January 2024. `{{cite web}}`: Check `|url=` value (help)
55. ^ "Ram Charan's birthday - From mixed response for Jaragandi to key updates on his next films, the global star had an eventual day". OTTPlay.
56. ^ "Game Changer song Raa Macha Macha OUT: Ram Charan's dance steps and Thaman's music in the folk-style number are a banger". Pinkvilla.
57. ^ "Ram Charan's Game Changer to release in January, replaces Chiranjeevi's Vishwambhara". India Today. 12 October 2024.
58. ^ "WATCH: Ram Charan's Game Changer aims for Christmas release, confirms producer Dil Raju". Pinkvilla. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
59. ^ "Shankar & Ram Charan's 'Game Changer' to release postponed". Times of India. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
60. ^ Prakash, B. V. S. (21 July 2023). "Game Changer' bought for Rs 50 cr by Zee Studios?". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 19 March 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
61. ^ "Allu Arjun's 'Pushpa 2,' Ram Charan's 'Game Changer,' Prabhas' 'Kalki,' NTR Jr's 'Devara' Snapped Up for India Distribution by AA Films (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. 16 April 2024. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
62. ^ / "Prime Buys Several Big Telugu Film OTT Rights – List". zoomtventertainment. 21 March 2024. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 21 March 2024. `{{cite web}}`: Check `|url=` value (help)

## External links

[edit]

* Game Changer at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

S. Shankar

Directed|

* Gentleman (1993)
* Kadhalan (1994)
* Indian (1996)
* Jeans (1998)
* Mudhalvan (1999)
* Nayak: The Real Hero (2001)
* Boys (2003)
* Anniyan (2005)
* Sivaji: The Boss (2007)
* Enthiran (2010)
* Nanban (2012)
* I (2015)
* 2.0 (2018)
* Indian 2 (2024)
* Game Changer (2025)
* Indian 3 (2025)

Produced|

* Mudhalvan (1999)
* Kaadhal (2004)
* Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei (2006)
* Veyil (2006)
* Kalloori (2007)
* Arai En 305-il Kadavul (2008)
* Eeram (2009)
* Rettaisuzhi (2010)
* Anandhapurathu Veedu (2010)

Distributed|

* Kappal (2014)

Companies|

* S Pictures
* S Musics

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*[t]: Discuss this template
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