Game Changer: Ram Charan tries hard to salvage a cliched political potboiler

Direction: S Shankar

Rating: 2/ 5 stars

After impressing as a fiery British officer in RRR, hot shot Ram Charan returns as a honest IAS officer who takes on mighty minister who is corrupt and merciless. Ram Charan also seen as anger driven student and upright tribal leader.

The main plot relies on the conflict between IAS officer and Mining Minister who show their respective powers in administration. Of course, director Shankar has weaved a love story between Ram Charan and Kiara Advani but it lacks enough depth. Without unearthing a unique plot, director Shankar seems to have rehashed his previous hits like "Oke Okkadu,' In this season of grey and dark protagonist, Shankar again relies on honest, upright protoganist, who believes in system and he is people-centric bureaucrat.

While Tamil actor SJ Suryah plays a maverick politician who indulges in illegal business and aspires to become Chief minister.

However, Ram Charan shines bright in flashback role as he is down to earth and relatable. He stammers yet he is determined to promote "money less" politics and fights for people's woes. Actress Anjali, as his supportive wife, impresses. Hero is also against paying cash for votes and also seeking funds from corporates but his partymen are worried.

Coming back to present, now IAS officer-turned- Chief Electoral Officer shows the power of code of conduct and seizes cash meant to buy votes. This fight for clean and fair elections goes overboard a bit and turns preachy at times. Probably, Shankar was inspired by late T N Seshan who paved the way for clean and fair elections in real life in 1990s but lot of changes have come in thereafter. So the idea is bit outdated.

The film begins with Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (fictional state) Srikanth wakes up in midnight and is haunted by guilt. He wants his ministers to provide honest administration but his minister S J Suryah opposes it. Meanwhile, IAS Ram Charan blows up unauthorised mall and nabs government rice hoarders. Now, Ram Charan and S J Suryah come face to face and try to show their respective powers. Ram Charan and Kiara Advani are in love and on the day of marriage, he is arrested. Check out in theatres for more.

Ram Charan showcases three different shades- IAS officer, Student and Tribal leader- although he played dual role in the film. SJ Surya again depicts his evil side but overacts quite a few times. Kiara Advani has nothing much to do except to match dance steps with Ram Charan in songs. Srikanth excels as Chief minister, while Jayaram, Rajiv Kanakala and Sunil fit the bill.

Director Shankar who disappointed with Indian 2, chose a political theme for Game Changer which fails to offer any novelty. He wanted to show the power of IAS officer in administration but films like "Collector Garu" touched upon this theme.

Director Shankar has to give up his old ideas and come back with refreshing story which doesn't have any shade or resemblance to his earlier blockbusters. He definitely missed AR Rahman and Thaman couldn't come up with chartbusters barring 'Jaragandi'.