2025 kicked off on a high note for Ram Charan and Kiara Advani, with their much-awaited film Game Changer making waves at the box office. The political drama, years in the making, has finally hit theaters, and its initial performance is reflecting the anticipation surrounding it. As of day five of its release, the movie has already crossed the ₹100 crore milestone in India, grossing a total of ₹106.34 crore across all languages.
Box Office Performance: Strong Start, Steady Decline, and a Possible Rebound
According to early estimates from Sacnilk, Game Changer earned ₹10.19 crore on its fifth day, with ₹6.3 crore from Telugu, ₹0.95 crore from Tamil, and ₹2.94 crore from Hindi. While the movie’s opening day saw an impressive ₹51 crore, the subsequent days saw a significant drop in earnings. For instance, on its first Monday, it collected ₹7.65 crore, falling just short of the ₹100 crore mark, but the movie appears to be on track to regain momentum as it heads into the second week.
Here’s a breakdown of the movie’s earnings in India during its first week:
- Day 1 (Friday): ₹51 crore
- Day 2 (Saturday): ₹21.6 crore
- Day 3 (Sunday): ₹15.9 crore
- Day 4 (Monday): ₹7.65 crore
- Day 5 (Tuesday): ₹10.19 crore
- Total: ₹106.34 crore
Controversy Over Box Office Numbers
Despite the strong start, Game Changer has found itself at the center of controversy. Over the weekend, the producers faced backlash after it was revealed that they had reportedly inflated the film’s Day 1 global box office earnings. While initial estimates suggested that the film earned around ₹80.1 crore globally on opening day, the official social media accounts for the film claimed an astounding ₹186 crore. This discrepancy led to widespread criticism and mockery from fans and industry observers alike.
Mixed Reviews and Ratings
In terms of reviews, Game Changer has received a mixed response. ETimes awarded the film 3 out of 5 stars. The film, directed by Shankar, features Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, and Anjali, with SJ Suryah and Srikanth playing pivotal roles. Shankar, known for his grand storytelling, makes his Telugu directorial debut with Game Changer. The film explores corruption within the Indian political system, with a plot that mixes action, drama, and social commentary. However, some critics noted that the film occasionally leans on familiar narrative tropes.
As the movie continues to run in theaters, it remains to be seen whether it can sustain its box office momentum and recover from the early controversies surrounding its earnings.
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