Champion movie review

Cast – Roshan Meka, Anaswara Rajan, Nandamuri Kalyan Chakravarthy and others
Director – Pradeep Advaitham
Producers – Priyanka Dutt, GK Mohan, Gemini Kiran
Banner – Shining Pictures
Music – Mickey J Meyer
Runtime – 2 Hr 45 Mins
Genre – Period Action Drama
Release Date – 25-12-2025

Background
Champion arrives with the promise of blending sports, history, and action into a period drama. The film has been in the making for quite some time, raising expectations among audiences. Roshan Meka, in his second outing after his 2022 debut, shoulders the responsibility of carrying the film. Anaswara Rajan makes her Telugu debut, adding freshness to the cast. The production team invested heavily in recreating the 1940s setting. The backdrop of post-Independence Hyderabad provides a unique canvas. The film attempts to merge sports ambition with political turmoil. The director’s vision was to highlight resilience and struggle. The background emphasizes the clash between personal dreams and societal conflicts. The film builds anticipation with its historical setting. Overall, the background sets up a story of ambition, sacrifice, and conflict.

Plot
Set in 1948, Michael Williams (Roshan) dreams of becoming a football star in England. Working in a bakery, he aspires to join Manchester football club. His father’s past prevents him from entering the country. Desperate, he agrees to deliver illegal cargo for a pilot. This journey takes him to Bairanpally village. The villagers are fighting against the Nizams and Razakars. Michael gets drawn into their struggle. The plot explores whether he achieves his dream amidst chaos.

Artists Performances
Roshan Meka looks macho and delivers his best performance to date. His character arc feels uneven but his effort is commendable. His dialect, however, feels contemporary rather than authentic to the period. Anaswara Rajan impresses in her debut but her dubbing carries a Malayalam accent. This mismatch affects the authenticity of her role. Nandamuri Kalyan Chakravarthy’s portrayal of the village leader lacks authority. His dialogue delivery fails to create impact. Abhay and Racha Ravi shine in their limited roles as villagers. Kay Kay Menon and other antagonists fail to leave a mark. The ensemble cast adds realism but lacks emotional depth. Performances overall are sincere but not memorable.

Technicalities
Maddie’s cinematography captures the period setting well. Editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao is below par. Over-lengthy scenes reduce the film’s impact. War episodes could have been crisper. Mickey J Meyer’s Gira Gira song is a highlight. Other songs are average. The background score is decent but lacks punch. Production design authentically recreates the 1940s. Costumes and sets reflect the era convincingly. Technical execution is competent but uninspired.

Positives

• Roshan’s looks and performance
• Gira Gira song
• Production values and effort
• Authentic recreation of 1940s setting

Negatives

• Emotionless and impact-less characters
• Slow and uneven screenplay
• Lengthy runtime
• Dubbing issues
• Weak writing and direction

Analysis
Champion was marketed as a period action-love drama with a sports backdrop. However, the film fails to deliver on its promise. The disconnect between marketing and content affects the viewing experience. The first half establishes the sports backdrop but feels flat. Character introductions lack emotional highs. Gira Gira provides relief with its music and visuals. The second half continues the same loop without impact. The struggles of villagers are shown superficially. Antagonists lack ruthlessness, reducing tension. Emotional depth is missing throughout the narrative. Comparisons with films like Rajanna highlight the shortcomings. Scenes fail to evoke empathy or excitement. Even the finale war episode lacks intensity. Racha Ravi’s moment overshadows Roshan’s heroic entry. Screenplay remains sluggish and uninspired. Direction fails to extract emotional resonance. Performances are sincere but limited by weak writing. Technical aspects support the film but don’t elevate it. The film’s strengths lie in production values and music. Weaknesses dominate due to poor execution. Champion remains a sincere effort on paper. Execution falters, making it a forgettable experience. The film is watchable only with modest expectations. It appeals to period drama enthusiasts but disappoints others. The balance of good and bad leans towards adequacy. With a rating of 2.25, the film delivers 70% good intent and 30% weak execution. Champion is a reminder that strong intent alone cannot guarantee success. The film is sincere but lacks spark. It is a mixed bag of ambition and shortcomings. Overall, Champion is a film that tries hard but fails to leave a lasting impact.

Final Verdict : Good intent, weak execution

Rating: 2.23/5