Movie Name : Champion
Release Date : Dec 25, 2025
123telugu.com Rating : 3/5
Starring : Roshan Meka, Anaswara Rajan, Nandamuri Kalyan Chakravarthy and others
Director : Pradeep Advaitham
Producers : Priyanka Dutt, GK Mohan, Gemini Kiran
Music Director : Mickey J Meyer
Cinematographer : Madhie ISC
Editor : Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Related Links : Trailer
Champion marks Roshan Meka’s return to the big screen after a four-year hiatus. The film also introduces Malayali actress Anaswara Rajan to Telugu cinema. Directed by Pradeep Advaitham, this period war action drama arrives with the backing of Swapna Cinema and considerable expectations. It hits big screens today and here is how the film fares.
Story:
Set in post-Independence India, Michael C. Williams (Roshan Meka) is a talented and sharp-minded footballer playing for the Secunderabad Blues. When a Manchester club manager offers him a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in London, Michael takes a calculated risk and agrees to transport guns, ensuring the chance does not slip away. During the operation, he unknowingly enters Bhairanpally, a village resisting the Razakars and their allies, intending to move on once his task is complete. However, close exposure to the villagers’ struggle forces him to reassess his priorities. How an ambitious man determined to leave the country ultimately chooses to fight for his land and people forms the crux of the story.
Plus Points:
Roshan Meka delivers an impressive performance and looks convincing in a rugged, manly avatar. His screen presence, expressions, and dialogue delivery work strongly in his favour. He shows noticeable maturity as a performer and carries the film confidently on his shoulders.
Anaswara Rajan makes a promising Telugu debut. Despite limited screen time, she leaves a strong impact with her natural performance. The understated romance between the leads is handled neatly and feels emotionally honest.
The idea of blending football with a war drama is refreshing. The makers skillfully integrate the sport into the narrative without making it feel forced. The mix of historical backdrop and fictional elements works well for the most part.
The war sequences, especially the interval block and the pre-climax, are well executed and benefit greatly from strong production values and effective cinematography. The emotional moments land reasonably well, aided by well-placed songs that add depth to the narrative.
The supporting cast, including Nandamuri Kalyan Chakravarthy and Rachcha Ravi, performs effectively. Most characters serve a purpose in the story and do not feel included merely for namesake.
Minus Points:
The major drawback lies in the handling of history. Since real names are used, viewers familiar with the actual events may find certain creative liberties difficult to accept. While the makers do not alter history outright, inserting a fictional protagonist into real incidents may not resonate with those who are aware of the suffering endured during that period.
The CG work is another weak point. Despite the scale and budget, the visual effects, particularly during war sequences, appear underwhelming and slightly disrupt the viewing experience.
Emotions play a crucial role in films of this genre. Although the film contains emotional moments, the portrayal of pain and struggle could have been more impactful.
Several supporting characters, including those played by Naresh, Laxman Meesala, Vennela Kishore, and Ravindra Vijay, feel underutilized, with limited scope to explore their full potential.
Technical Aspects:
Pradeep Advaitham takes on a challenging subject in his feature debut and handles it competently. His writing is structured, and the concept of merging sports with a freedom struggle is commendable, though a stronger emotional grip could have elevated the film further.
Mickey J. Meyer’s background score supports the narrative effectively, while the songs are well composed and placed. R. Madhi’s cinematography stands out, capturing the period setting with striking visuals. Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao’s editing keeps the film mostly engaging without unnecessary lag. The production design and art department deserve appreciation for recreating the era convincingly.
Verdict:
On the whole, Champion is a sincere period war drama that blends sports with history in an engaging manner. Roshan Meka impresses with a confident performance, and Anaswara Rajan makes a solid Telugu debut. While the film takes certain historical liberties and falters in emotional depth at places, its strong performances, technical finesse, and rich production values make it a watchable theatrical experience.
123telugu.com Rating: 3/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team
