Coming back to Game Changer, Shankar’s Telugu debut, the auteur confirms rumours by divulging that Pawan Kalyan was indeed his initial choice for the film. “It’s true that I initially wanted Pawan Kalyan sir as the lead due to the film’s political storyline. However, casting involves extensive discussions, and for Game Changer, Ram Charan ultimately became the final choice for the protagonist,” he shares.Speaking about his leading man, he says, “In my view, Ram Charan has explosive potential, but he doesn’t express it in an overtly extroverted way. He performs with subtlety, yet his talent is unmistakable—you can sense that it’s waiting to be fully unleashed.” Shankar is no stranger to working with stars, having delivered some of the most iconic hits for actors like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Vijay. However, working with a Telugu star is a different ball game altogether. Sharing that he didn’t have to do anything specific for Ram Charan, the director explains, “In my films, the heroism of the protagonist naturally intensifies as the story unfolds.My protagonists have always been larger-than-life if not outright superheroes. I didn’t have to make any special effort to cater to Ram Charan’s fans. As with my other films, the script for Game Changer was crafted with elevation and high-impact moments for the lead. Ram Charan’s exceptional performance has only enhanced those moments.”On watching the trailer, many questioned if Game Changer would join the list of the director’s previous anti-corruption films. Shankar denies the same and says, “While many of my films are seen as focused on corruption, especially with Game Changer involving bureaucracy and politics, the film goes beyond that. It explores the responsibilities of a government officer, the workings of various departments, and more, in an engaging and thought-provoking way.”Ever since his debut, Gentleman, Shankar’s films have always had a message in them, most of which are political in nature. When asked if he has political aspirations, the director refuses, saying, “I’m a filmmaker, and I express my views through my films. Growing up, I was aware of social and political issues, and filmmaking became my way to address them. Filmmaking can be more than entertainment.”With Indian 3 in the pipeline after Game Changer, and Velpari to follow, Shankar’s schedule is packed. The director signs off by commenting on the criticisms he received for Indian 2, “Criticism is inevitable, and as filmmakers, it’s our responsibility to take constructive feedback and improve. I don’t focus on personal attacks or hate comments. With that being said, it is also important for people to understand that cinema is more than just entertainment; it’s an industry that provides livelihoods for thousands.”
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