The much-awaited Telugu sports drama, 'Champion', starring Roshan Meka and Anaswara Rajan, finally hit theatres yesterday. Directed by Pradeep Advaitham, the film has generated a wave of positive reactions online, with viewers praising its rich content. However, its initial performance at the box office has been on the slower side.
Opening Day Box Office Figures and Occupancy
According to data from trade analyst Sacnilk, 'Champion' garnered an estimated Rs 2.75 crore in net collections across India on its first day. The film's theatrical occupancy in the Telugu-speaking states presented a story of gradual growth throughout the day.
The morning shows began with a modest occupancy of 28.18%. Audience interest picked up significantly in the afternoon, with the number rising to 46.76%. The evening and night shows maintained a similar momentum, recording occupancies of 46.02% and 46.91% respectively, resulting in an overall Telugu occupancy of 41.97% for the day.
Plot, Cast, and Significance of the Film
'Champion' tells the story of Michael C. Williams, portrayed by Roshan Meka. He is a gifted footballer from Secunderabad whose dream is to play for Manchester in England. His journey takes an unexpected turn when he gets caught in an arms smuggling operation and finds himself in Bhairanpally village, where he stands against Razakar atrocities.
It is in this village that his character crosses paths with Chandrakala, played by Anaswara Rajan. The film marks a significant comeback for Roshan Meka, who returns to the silver screen after a hiatus of four years. For popular Malayalam actress Anaswara Rajan, this project serves as her official debut in Telugu cinema. The music for the film has been composed by Mickey J Meyer.
Audience and Social Media Reaction
Despite the moderate box office start, early viewers have taken to social media to express their appreciation for the film. One user on X (formerly Twitter) shared a detailed review, stating: "An excellent film with a perfect story and concept. Felt very fresh after a long time. Superb songs and BGM. Top-notch performance by Roshan and very good production values. Only minus is slow narration!!"
This feedback highlights that while the core content and performances are being well-received, the pacing of the narrative has been noted as a point of critique by some. The overall sentiment, however, remains largely positive, positioning 'Champion' as a content-driven film that may rely on strong word-of-mouth to boost its collections in the coming days.
