Shankar makes Telugu debut with 'Game Changer' amid 'Indian 2' doubts
By : BVS Prakash
Update: 2024-11-11 06:06 GMT
One of Kollywood’s most successful directors, S. Shankar, is making his Telugu debut with Game Changer, and industry insiders are closely watching the film’s production and release. "Many directors and producers are eager to see if Shankar can connect with Telugu audiences on his first attempt," says a producer. "Telugu films have a different sensibility compared to Tamil films, which are often more realistic. Shankar will need to balance both to appeal to the audience, especially Gen Z viewers, who expect a mix of commercial elements."
There are some concerns after Shankar's last film, Indian 2, failed to impress Telugu audiences. However, producer C Kalyan defends the director, saying, "This kind of talk happens after every release. People tend to write off big filmmakers and stars after one failure." He adds, "Shankar has had an unmatched 30-year career, and no one else in India has had such a long run of success." Kalyan suggests that Indian 2's plot may not have resonated with the audience or aligned with current trends but believes Shankar’s exceptional storytelling, casting, visual spectacle, and music have been a constant strength.
Shankar has been a dominant force in both Kollywood and Tollywood since the early '90s, delivering major hits like Gentleman, Premikudu, Indian, Jeans, Aparachitudu, Oke Okkadu, and Robot. Hailed as the uncrowned king of commercial cinema, his versatile talent spans socio-political themes, star-studded casts, grand visuals, and chart-topping music. His collaborations with A.R. Rahman have produced timeless hits, cementing Shankar’s legacy as a visionary director in the Indian film industry.