The growing trend of using English titles for Telugu films is becoming more prevalent, not only in the Telugu film industry but across various languages. Cinema has increasingly become a global business, leading to the adoption of English and other regional languages for titles. However, there is a strong sentiment that filmmakers should ensure that the core of the film—the script—remains in Telugu, even if the title is in English. This issue has come to the forefront with the recent censoring of the Telugu version of the film Game Changer, a much-anticipated movie releasing this Sankranti.
The Censor Board issued a U/A certificate for Game Changer, but it raised an objection regarding the title’s design. The board specifically pointed out that even if the film’s title is in English, the script should still be presented in Telugu. The concern is that viewers who are more comfortable with reading only Telugu may face difficulty in understanding the title, which could lead to confusion. Although the Censor Board cannot mandate a title change, it strongly recommended that the filmmakers adjust the title to be in Telugu script to accommodate a broader audience.
In addition to the title issue, the Censor Board also noted the film’s runtime, which stands at 2 hours and 45 minutes. This length is relatively long for a modern-day film, with recent releases like Pushpa-2 also clocking in at over three hours. However, the success of films with longer runtimes, such as Pushpa-2, has proven that movie length is not necessarily a deterrent to success, provided the film holds the audience’s interest. The industry now eagerly awaits whether Game Changer will follow the same pattern and prove that the length of a film can be balanced with engaging content.
As we approach the movie’s release, it remains to be seen how the film will address the Censor Board’s concerns and whether it can maintain its promise of delivering a captivating experience despite its lengthy runtime.