December 25, 2025 — Hyderabad / Telugu Cinema Desk — Champion, the much-anticipated Telugu period sports drama starring Roshan Meka opposite Anaswara Rajan, hit theatres on Christmas Day amid a crowded release calendar.
The film, directed by Pradeep Advaitham, blends sports, history and emotional drama in a narrative set during the era of the Telangana resistance against Razakar oppression.
Early reviews — including from 123Telugu.com — rate the movie as watchable but uneven, praising performances and production values but noting issues with pacing and emotional depth.
Plot Summary and Setting
The story follows Michael C. Williams (Roshan Meka), a gifted footballer with dreams of playing internationally, who takes on a risky assignment that ultimately brings him into the midst of a rural village’s struggle against Razakar forces. As Michael confronts the realities of resistance and sacrifice, his priorities and identity are tested against the backdrop of historical upheaval.
Strong Performances Anchor the Film
According to critics at 123Telugu.com, Roshan Meka delivers an impressive performance, confidently carrying the film and showcasing growth as an actor. His screen presence, rugged look and dialogue delivery add weight to his role, helping ground the film’s mix of sport and war themes.
Anaswara Rajan, in her Telugu debut, also earns praise for her natural portrayal, leaving a strong impression despite limited screen time. Reviewers noted that the understated romance and emotional honesty between the leads contribute positively to the film’s narrative tone.
The supporting cast, including Nandamuri Kalyan Chakravarthy and Rachcha Ravi, is deemed effective, with most characters serving a definite purpose rather than feeling superfluous.
Technical Merits and Creative Elements
Champion earns credit for its ambitious blending of football with a historical resistance drama, a concept reviewers called refreshing for Telugu cinema. The war sequences, especially around the interval and the pre-climax, are well executed with strong cinematography and production design that convincingly evoke the period setting.
The soundtrack by Mickey J. Meyer supports emotional beats, while R. Madhi’s cinematography highlights the visual richness of the era. Editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao keeps most of the film engaging, and the art direction helps recreate the period backdrop convincingly.
Criticisms: Pacing and Emotional Depth
However, reviewers point out notable drawbacks. A key criticism lies in the film’s handling of historical context and emotional impact. Viewers familiar with the real events of the Telangana resistance may find certain creative liberties — such as the insertion of a fictional protagonist into actual historical moments — somewhat jarring.
The emotional resonance of the story, especially the portrayal of pain and struggle, could have been stronger, according to critics. Some supporting characters, though performed well, are seen as underutilized with limited screen development. Additionally, CG effects in key sequences received mixed responses, with some visuals described as underwhelming given the film’s scope.
Overall Verdict and Rating
123Telugu gives Champion a rating of 3 out of 5, calling it a “sincere period war drama” that successfully blends sports and history with engaging performances and solid technical craftsmanship. While pacing and emotional depth hold the film back from being truly exceptional, its strong production values and leads’ performances make it a watchable theatrical experience.
Audience Reaction and Social Media Buzz
Early Twitter and X reactions reflect a mixed but intriguing buzz from audiences who attended first-day screenings. Social media commentary highlights that the first half feels fresh, with good chemistry between the leads and an enjoyable football-oriented setup, but slows in places, with the second half more emotionally focused around resistance themes and climax sequences that many viewers found impactful.
Some fans also praised the visuals and score, especially the depiction of football scenes and the emotional climax, describing them as standout moments, while others pointed out that the narrative could have been tighter or more engaging overall.
Industry Support and Box Office Expectations
Leading up to release, Champion drew goodwill from major Telugu cinema figures. Prominent actors and filmmakers — including Prabhas, Jr NTR and SS Rajamouli — publicly wished the team success, raising industry interest in the film’s performance.
Given its high production budget and period-drama scale, analysts suggest Champion faces a big test at the box office, especially alongside multiple other Telugu films releasing during the holiday season.
Closing Thoughts
Overall, Champion is positioned as a meaningful cinematic effort that aims to merge sport and resistance drama through Roshan Meka’s performance and a visually engaging narrative.
While the execution may not fully realize the film’s ambitious premise, many viewers will find its technical craftsmanship and emotional moments rewarding, making it a noteworthy addition to the Telugu cinema slate this Christmas.
