Film: Champion
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
Release Date: December 25, 2025
Rating: 2.5/5
Champion, directed by Pradeep Advaitam, is set against the turbulent backdrop of pre-Independence Hyderabad and the Telangana armed struggle. Roshan Meka plays the lead role with Anaswara Rajan playing the leading lady. Check out the film’s review here.
Story:
The story follows Michael, an ambitious young footballer from Secunderabad, whose dream is to play the sport in London. Circumstances force him to spend fifteen days in Bhaironpally, a village at the heart of resistance against the Razakars’ brutal oppression. What begins as a temporary stay slowly transforms his worldview, pulling him into the larger socio-political movement of the time. The narrative explores how Michael’s personal dreams clash with historical realities, the influence of his father on his ideals, and how ordinary villagers rise to counter repression.
Performances:
On the performance front, the film is well supported by its cast. Roshan delivers a committed performance as Michael, carrying both the innocence of a dreamer and the intensity of a reluctant revolutionary with conviction. His physicality, especially in action and football-related sequences, adds credibility to the role. Aneswara Rajan brings a grounded, realistic presence to the film, lending emotional weight without overdoing it. Murali Sharma is dependable as always in a key role, while Kalyan Chakravarthy makes an impression in his special appearance. Supporting actors like Santosh Pratap, Ik Archana, Rachcha Ravi, and others playing antagonistic roles stay within the demands of the narrative.
Technical Aspects:
Technically, the film shows sincerity and effort across departments. The director’s attempt to weave a 1948 historical setting with emotionally driven, war-torn sequences works in parts, especially in the confrontation scenes and the emotionally charged moments between Michael and his father. Cinematography stands out for its naturalistic portrayal of locations, capturing the rustic texture of villages. The music complements the narrative reasonably well, though it doesn’t always elevate key moments. Editing could have been sharper to address the pacing issues, particularly in the first half. Production values are solid.
Final Verdict:
The blend of sports, history, and revolution gives the film an emotional core. However, the familiar backdrop of Razakar violence occasionally feels repetitive, and a few stretches suffer from slow narration. Champion is an earnest historical sports-war drama that scores well in intent, performances, and emotional moments. Its strength lies in character-driven storytelling, strong central performances, and the depiction of resistance during a crucial phase in Telangana’s history. However, the uneven pacing and lack of sharper narrative urgency prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite these flaws, the film leaves an impact and stands as a sincere, watchable effort.
Plus Points:
Performances
Music
Plot
Minus Points:
Lags in the second half
Slow Narration
Final Verdict: Champion is a sincere and emotional historical drama.
