Ram Gopal Varma Criticizes Box Office Claims of Game Changer
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) has stirred controversy by calling out discrepancies in the reported box office figures of Ram Charan’s latest release, Game Changer. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), RGV accused the film’s makers of inflating its numbers, questioning its credibility and casting doubts on the South Indian film industry’s achievements.
Key Points from RGV’s Statements:
- Discrepancies in Box Office Numbers:
- The producers claimed that Game Changer earned ₹186 crore on its opening day (January 10), making it the fourth-best opening Indian film after Pushpa 2, Baahubali 2, and RRR.
- Trade reports, however, suggest a much lower figure of ₹80–100 crore worldwide, with some sources like Sacnilk reporting even less.
- Criticism of Inflated Claims:
- RGV sarcastically praised the team behind Game Changer for proving “the South is much more fantastic in being a fraud.”
- He warned that such exaggerated claims undermine the legitimate achievements of South Indian films like Baahubali, RRR, KGF 2, and Kantara.
- Defense of Producer Dil Raju:
- RGV absolved Dil Raju, the producer of Game Changer, from involvement in the alleged “lies,” calling him a “grounded realist.”
- He questioned who was behind the misleading claims.
- Budget and Believability:
- RGV highlighted inconsistencies in the film’s budget and collections, comparing it to RRR.
- He wrote, “If Game Changer cost ₹450 crore, then RRR, with its extraordinary visual appeal, should have cost ₹4,500 crore.”
Game Changer’s Box Office Journey:
- Directed by Shankar, the political thriller stars Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, and SJ Suryah.
- Despite a promising start, the film’s domestic net collections are yet to cross ₹100 crore after four days, with a significant drop in earnings on Monday.
Industry Implications:
RGV’s remarks have sparked a broader conversation about transparency in box office reporting, especially in the South Indian film industry. While the inflated numbers have brought scrutiny, Game Changer‘s performance highlights the challenges even high-budget films face in sustaining audience interest.