"Ram Gopal Varma calls inflated numbers a 'fraud,' as insiders question credibility of South cinema's reported earnings."
Ram Gopal Varma has ignited a heated debate over the authenticity of the box office collections reported for Ram Charan's political action drama, ‘Game Changer.’ While the film's producers claim a historic ₹186 crore worldwide gross on its opening day, trade analysts and insiders have cast doubt on these figures, alleging inflation of over ₹100 crore.
Opening Weekend Success or Controversy?
‘Game Changer,’ directed by Shankar, debuted on January 10, ahead of the Sankranti holiday, and initially celebrated its success with reports of crossing ₹186 crore globally on Day 1. However, trade tracker Sacnilk estimated a much lower gross of ₹80 crore worldwide for the same period, sparking widespread skepticism.
Also Read: ‘Game Changer’ Box Office Triumph: Ram Charan’s Film Crosses ₹100 Crore in First Week
India's net collections stood at ₹51 crore on its opening day, making it improbable for the global figures to align with the producers' claims. By Day 3, the film's gross reportedly reached ₹130 crore, still falling short of the touted ₹186 crore milestone.
Ram Gopal Varma’s Criticism
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, known for his blunt opinions, called the inflated box office claims a "fraud" that undermines the credibility of South Indian cinema. Taking to social media, Varma said, "The exaggerated figures are an insult to the extraordinary achievements of South cinema, including ‘Baahubali,’ ‘RRR,’ and ‘KGF 2.’"
Although Varma absolved producer Dil Raju of direct involvement, he questioned the motives behind such misleading claims. His remarks have found resonance with several trade insiders who argue that such practices harm the industry’s reputation.
Industry Backlash
Trade analysts and distributors in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana agree with Varma's sentiments. A distributor stated, "This is a gross inflation of ₹100 crore in a single day, which hurts the credibility of the entire industry." Ramesh Bala, a film trade analyst, commented, "While minor exaggerations are common, the scale of this inflation undermines the authenticity of South Indian cinema's achievements."
Future Prospects for ‘Game Changer’
Despite its controversial opening, ‘Game Changer’ experienced a sharp decline in collections, dropping 52% on its first Monday. Competing releases in Tamil and Telugu states have further diminished its chances of recovery. Trade analysts predict that the film may struggle to cross ₹200 crore globally by the end of its run, falling far short of its lofty initial claims.
The producers' silence on box office figures post-opening day has only fueled speculation. For a film that began with bold proclamations, its subdued performance in subsequent days underscores the perils of inflated expectations.
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Game Changer, Ram Charan, Ram Gopal Varma, Box Office Controversy, South Indian Cinema, Shankar, Kiara Advani, Telugu Movies, 2025 Films, Indian Box Office Collections
