Champion Review: Flat and Forgettable

BOTTOM LINE
Flat and Forgettable

RATING
2/5

CENSOR
U/A, 2h 49m

What Is the Film About?

Champion is about how Michael’s (Roshan) dream of playing football in London leads him to join the Bhairanpally fight against Nizam’s atrocities, and how he becomes a part of it in the process. This is the story at a high level.

Performances

Roshan looks good on screen and gives his best. However, it feels a bit too soon for him to shoulder such a demanding role in a film like Champion. His age and physicality work against him, which is noticeable throughout the film. He comes across more like a boy than a leading man, making it hard to fully accept him in such a big role. That said, with more age-appropriate roles in the future, he is likely to make a good impression with his acting and screen presence.

As for Anaswara Rajan, her dubbing feels off and awkward right from her first scene. Performance-wise, she does fine, largely because her role doesn’t demand much. There is nothing particularly challenging or heavy expected from her character.

Analysis

Champion is written and directed by Pradeep Advaitham, who also handled the story, screenplay and dialogues. Champion opens with a period historical backdrop, and a conflict between Indian government and the Razakars, and a brief overview of post-independence Hyderabad. However, the first half quickly descends into bland and flat proceedings, including the interval.

Once Rohan is introduced, the story offers a small challenge for the lead, who is secretly delivering weapons while chasing his dream of going to London to play football. But the background remains superficial, failing to engage the viewers or create real interest. Interactions between Rohan and the female lead, as well as the occasional stage plays, add little to the narrative -they feel as flat as they come.

A single song stands out, but otherwise the entire first half runs in a largely unexciting manner. The main culprit is the writing and screenplay. Even the interval bang contributes nothing, leaving all hopes pinned on the second half to pick up the pace.

The second half of Champion further exposes the film’s weak direction. Only a couple of scenes are executed decently, while the rest including the climax, where the director attempts to deliver a message before a routine finish offers little that impresses. The main issue lies in the lack of conviction in the story, the emotions, and the conflicts. Despite being visually strong and technically polished, the film ends up as a shallow effort.

Apart from a couple of songs and one or two standout scenes, nothing in the film feels interesting. The entire experience is lifeless, dragging the audience down with its boredom.

Overall, Champion is visually competent, but the lack of conviction in its direction and storytelling makes it a dull watch, and waste its powerful title.

Performances by Others Actors

Nandamuri Kalyan Chakravarthy plays an important role, but it feels lifeless and powerless, mainly due to the writing and lack of character development. KK Menon appears in a brief role and is utterly wasted. Only the film’s team knows why they cast such a talented actor and gave him such an underwritten part, failing to use his presence to the film’s advantage.

Apart from that, Santosh Pratap and a few others do their job, but none of them stand out enough to warrant a special mention.

Music and Other Departments?

Mickey J. Meyer composes the music and delivers one chartbuster song along with a couple of decent tracks that also work well visually on screen. The background score is a mixed bag, but it never completely fails.

Madhie’s cinematography is a clear asset to the film. Despite evident limitations in resources, he manages to present a neat and visually appealing film throughout. Editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao could have been sharper, as the film tends to drag in several portions.

The production values from Swapna Cinema are quite satisfactory. They are neat and well-suited for a film like Champion, aimed at drawing audiences to theatres.

Highlights?

Production values

“Gira Gira Gingiraagirey” song

Drawbacks?

Direction

Writing throughout

Lifeless, powerless characters

Boring screenplay

Attempts at emotions, but they never land

Did I Enjoy It?

No

Will You Recommend It?

No

Champion 2025 Telugu Movie Review by M9

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Live Updates

U.S. Premiere Report:

#Champion Review: Flat and Forgettable

#Champion gets the visuals right, but struggles throughout with direction and the writing fails to generate interest. The Bhiaranpally bravery and emotional moments never quite land. Rohan looks too young to fill such big shoes, though he looks good and gives his best.

Rating: 2/5

Detailed review coming soon.

First Half Report:

#Champion’s first half struggles to engage, even with its period setting. So far, the writing and situations lack the spark needed to create real intrigue and excitement. The second half will need to pick up significantly.

Stay tuned for Champion Telugu movie Review, U.S. Premiere report.

Hero Srikanth’s son Roshan is making a full-fledged debut as a hero with the film Champion, backed by a renowned production house Swapna Cinema.

Cast: Roshan Meka, Anaswara Rajan and others.
Story, Screenplay, Dialogues, Direction: Pradeep Advaitham
Banners: Swapna Cinema, Zee Studios, Anandi Art Creations, Concept Films
Producer: Priyanka Dutt, GK Mohan, Gemini Kiran
DOP: Madhie ISC
Music Director – Mickey J Meyer
Co Producers: Umesh K R Bansal
Editor: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
U.S. Distributor: Shloka Entertainments

Champion 2025 Telugu Movie Review by M9