SJ Suryah praises Ram Charan's performance in 'Game Changer'
Global star Ram Charan’s upcoming big-budget film Game Changer, directed by South Indian cinema stalwart Shankar, is set to hit theaters worldwide on January 10. The film features Kiara Advani as the female lead and is being produced by Dil Raju and Sirish under the Sri Venkateswara Creations and Zee Studios banners. Game Changer will be released in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi, with promotional activities already in full swing. In a recent interaction with the media, noted actor SJ Suryah shared his experience of working on the film and expressed his admiration for both Shankar and Ram Charan.
On Working with Shankar
When asked how he landed the role in Game Changer and about his experience working with Shankar, SJ Suryah revealed, “Shankar sir invited me to join Game Changer, and on the sets, I simply followed his instructions. After seeing my performance, Shankar sir was impressed, and he later offered me a role in Indian 2 as well. Every artist dreams of working with Shankar sir. He demonstrates how each character should be portrayed, and when you execute exactly as he says, it creates magic on screen.”
On Collaborating with Ram Charan
SJ Suryah praised Ram Charan's versatility and dedication, saying, “Ram Charan is an extraordinary actor and a true global star. Beneath that stardom lies a remarkable performer. In this film, he portrays different shades with ease. As an IAS officer, he looks dignified, and as Appanna, he delivers a performance that audiences will remember for a lifetime.”
Did the Director in SJ Suryah Surface on Set?
Responding to whether he felt like a director while working on the film, SJ Suryah said, “When you're playing the game, you should focus solely on the game. As an actor, I focused entirely on my performance. Besides, I'm in no position to offer suggestions to someone like Shankar sir, who is a visionary director. Even someone like Rajamouli sir has praised Shankar sir, acknowledging that when he believes in a story, he instills confidence that the investment will pay off.”
Meeting Pawan Kalyan at the Pre-Release Event
Reflecting on his recent encounter with actor-politician Pawan Kalyan at a pre-release event, SJ Suryah remarked, “I felt immense joy when our Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan attended the event. Hearing him speak about me filled me with indescribable happiness. I was speechless when he praised me. Hugging him brought back memories of the Khushi days. He remains the same person, deeply committed to his ideals. Back then, he used to talk about his ideology, which I couldn’t fully grasp. Now, the world understands his vision. He constantly thinks about the welfare of people and always respects those who work with sincerity.”
On the Plot and Expectations from 'Game Changer'
Talking about what audiences can expect from Game Changer, SJ Suryah said, “The story revolves around the conflict between an honest IAS officer and a corrupt politician. You will witness the intensity of this battle and how brilliantly Shankar sir has crafted the narrative. It will be a cinematic experience like no other, blending all elements that will entertain audiences thoroughly.”
Challenges Faced During the Shoot
When asked about challenges, SJ Suryah stated, “Before coming to the set, I would always prepare extensively. I would think about what the director wanted, how a scene should be executed, and how to deliver the dialogues. However, dubbing was particularly difficult. Shankar sir gave me an incredible character, and I enjoyed playing it. That’s why I dubbed my voice for all three languages—Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi—even though I’m not fluent in Hindi. Despite the language barrier, I gave my best during dubbing. In fact, you all should watch the film in Hindi just for my dubbing (laughs).”
Special Aspects of 'Game Changer'
Highlighting some of the film’s standout features, SJ Suryah said, “Every character created by Shankar sir in Game Changer is exceptional. While I haven’t seen the complete film yet, I have watched some rushes. The scenes between Ram Charan and me turned out remarkably well and will give the audience a thrill. Recently, I watched the lyrical video of the song ‘Jaragandi’. Initially, I felt a bit underwhelmed, wondering if Shankar sir’s magic was missing. But after watching the full song, I was blown away. The visuals were stunning—so much so that the ticket price will be worth it just for that song alone. The set design for a simple coffee cup scene was extraordinary. This song is going to be a blast in theaters!”
Future Directorial Projects
On whether he plans to return to directing, SJ Suryah said, “Right now, I’m comfortable as an actor and haven’t thought much about direction. However, when I recently traveled to Rajahmundry, I met Akira Nandan on a flight. He looked very impressive. Just like his father, he was already immersed in reading books. Who knows, if destiny allows and the timing is right, I may direct Khushi 2 with him someday.”
On Dil Raju and Production Values
Praising producer Dil Raju, SJ Suryah said, “Dil Raju sir is truly an all-rounder. A producer isn’t just someone who invests money in films. Dil Raju sir regularly visits sets, monitors every aspect of the production, and solves problems on the spot. He has a great understanding of stories and always speaks directly. He has invested heavily in this film. For the song ‘Jaragandi’ alone, several crores were spent. You will see the result of that investment in theaters.”
Game Changer, with its star-studded cast, gripping plot, and grand production values, is generating high expectations ahead of its release. Fans eagerly await this Shankar-directed spectacle, which promises to be a game-changing cinematic experience.