My Role in Game Changer Was the Most Challenging Of My Career: Srikanth

Global Star Ram Charan's Game Changer is one of the most anticipated films of 2025. Directed by Shankar, this political action drama is set for a grand release on January 10, 2025. The ensemble cast of this movie includes popular actor Srikanth, who played a pivotal role in the movie. Today, Srikanth interacted with the media and shared his experiences of working on this prestigious project.

Q: How do you feel about your characterization in the movie?  

A: I feel that my characterization in this movie is fresh and distinct compared to my recent work. I never imagined I would portray such a character. When they first narrated the first half, I questioned why they thought of me for this role and whether I could pull it off. However, after hearing the second half, I knew I had to take on the role no matter what. It was such a compelling character. Once the prosthetics were done and I got into the look, I felt confident that I could do justice to the role. Working with Shankar garu is a dream for many, and I consider myself fortunate to have such a significant role in his film.

Q: How many days did you take to finalize your getup in the movie?  

A: They made a few designs initially. After doing trials for two-three designs, they finalized one.  

Q: Was it tough to get into that prosthetic makeup?  

A: It was my first time. One needs a lot of patience while getting into that getup. We need to sit for 2-3 hours to get the makeup done. We can't sweat till evening. We should balance all these things. It is tough. Initially, I found it difficult, but later I figured out how to manage myself in that makeup.  

Q: Until now, you have seen Shankar from outside. Now, you got a chance to work with him. Can you tell us what you feel about his vision?  

A: He is already a proven director nationwide. Right from the first day, he made us very comfortable. He is very patient and goes for as many takes as possible. As he was an artist before, he knows how his actors need to act in his film and injects his vision into us perfectly. We just follow it.  

Q: How is your characterization in the movie?  

A: I am playing the role of the Chief Minister in the movie. There is a positive and negative side to this character. These shades come out as per the situation. Rest everything you have to watch the film.  

Q: Did you take any references, observe anyone, or does your character have any mannerisms in the movie?  

A: The character I play is of an aged CM character. With the getup, my behaviour comes automatically, be it walking style, delivering dialogues subtly, and lowering down my energy levels.  

Q: CM Character in Shankar's Oke Okkadu clicked with the audience very well and became a reference for such characters. Will your role in the movie have any such new dimension?  

A: For me, I felt the character was a new dimension for myself.  

Q: Will you be the follower of Ram Charan garu's older role in the movie? 

 A: (laughs) You have to watch the film to see if I was a follower or a friend or anything else.  

Q: With which character do you have more combination scenes?  

A: I have scenes with everyone: Charan, SJ Suryah, Jayaram, and Samuthirakani. SJ Suryah's performance is outstanding. His character has layers of humour, cunning, and sarcasm, taking it to the next level compared to his role in Saripodhaa Sanivaaram. Working with such versatile characters has been an amazing experience.

Q: Were you skeptical after listening to your character in the movie?  

A: Playing my character without any prior experience of playing such a character is a challenge. As I said, I was skeptical after hearing the first half. However, when I listened to the second half, and especially the flashback episode, I was mind-blown and decided to do it.  

Q: What was the most unlikely response you got after wearing that getup?  

A: They created my look after seeing a picture of my father, who has passed away. The moment I wore that getup, I went straight home, and my mother was shocked to see me like that. To add to her surprise, I called her "Baby" just to tease her. I never imagined I would resemble my father so much until I put on that getup.

Q: Game Changer is Shankar's first Telugu film. Before that, he has only done Tamil films. Have you ever thought of working in his movie?  

A: I never expected to work with Shankar garu. As Shankar garu's films have pan-India appeal, they chose actors of such level. Generally, we get characters from all industries. But getting this type of character is very rare. Rajendra Prasad and Jagapathi Babu did these kinds of characters, but it is new for me. But Shankar garu showed confidence in me. Eventually, I also did it.  

Q: You worked with Charan in the past. How was it sharing screen space with him again, and was there any difference in his style of acting?  

A: Absolutely. There will be a lot of difference. When we did Govindudu Andarivadele, it was a kind of youngster character. Whatever he has been doing now are matured characters, be it Rangasthalam, RRR. As he is now a Global Star, the characters will be of that level. Both his characters in this movie are performance-oriented roles. Especially, playing Appanna character in this movie is challenging. Playing such characters needs a lot of experience. He aced it completely.  

Q: What is your favourite character among all the movies you have done till now?  

A: All of them are my favourite characters. But the toughest one was this character in Game Changer. I never played a role of this age in my career. People will be surprised to watch me on screen.  

Q: You call Chiranjeevi Anna. What does Charan call you?  

A: He also calls me Anna. He never called me Babai (laughs). Not only Charan, but Bunny and Sai Dharam Tej also call me Anna.  

Q: What is your opinion on the current trend of filling movies with action and elevation scenes rather than having a solid story? 

 A: If such movies are getting hit, it means that audiences are enjoying them. People are not watching if there is only a story and no elevation scenes. When story and elevation scenes are mixed well, movies are becoming bigger hits.  

Q: Does Game Changer have elevations and story?  

A: Yes. From Shankar garu, you can expect strong stories. Even though his recent movies disappointed, he never failed as a director. I hope he makes a strong comeback with this movie. There are all commercial elements in it. There is entertainment, political angle, and many twists. It will definitely be a big hit.  

Q: Recently, Shankar wrote the stories of his movies. But for this film, Karthik Subbaraj wrote the story. What is your view on this exchange?  

A: Karthik Subbaraj is a famous director and a writer too. If Shankar garu took that story, imagine how impressed he was with it.  

Q: Nowadays, every big film has a lead to a sequel in the end. Will Game Changer also have such an ending?  

A: No. I think Game Changer is a standalone single-part movie.  

Q: Game Changer had a lot of shooting days. Did you miss something during this shoot? 

 

A: People often think that we prolong shoot unnecessarily. But that is not the case. For example, we shot in Rajahmundry as per the planned schedule. But managing the artist combination dates for each schedule will be a hectic task. Maybe one and a half years were wasted due to managing the dates of various actors and their particular getups.