
New Delhi, December 25, 2025: As Champion, the highly anticipated period sports drama starring Roshan Meka and Anaswara Rajan, hits theaters today (December 25, 2025), social media is buzzing with the first wave of reactions. Set against the turbulent backdrop of 1948 Secunderabad, the film blends the thrill of football with a gritty historical narrative.
If you are planning to catch a show this Christmas weekend, here are the six essential Twitter takeaways that summarize the early audience verdict.
Critics and fans alike are raving about the film’s production values. Twitter users have highlighted the “immaculate” recreation of pre-independence Hyderabad. From the art direction by Thota Tharani to the cinematography by Madhie, the film is being called a visual treat that successfully transports viewers back to the 1940s.
After a four-year hiatus following Pelli SandaD, Roshan Meka returns with a more mature presence. Fans on X are praising his transformation into Michael, the football prodigy. While his “handsome looks” remain a talking point, it is his intensity in the action sequences and his command over the football field that have left a mark.
Making her Telugu debut, Malayalam star Anaswara Rajan is winning hearts. Social media reactions suggest she isn’t just a love interest but adds significant emotional weight to the story. Her chemistry with Roshan, particularly in the song “Giragira,” is being cited as one of the film’s major highlights.
The first half is receiving a “thumbs up” from most early viewers. The pacing is described as engaging, culminating in a high-octane interval sequence. One viral tweet noted that the pre-interval fight choreography and the subsequent stadium tension are “worth the ticket price alone.”
While the first half is garnering praise, some users feel the film “loses steam” after the break. A few reviews point toward a “flat narration” in the second half, suggesting that the screenplay occasionally struggles to balance the sports drama with the political intrigue of the Razakar era. However, the pre-climax football matches are reportedly well-executed.
Overall, the consensus is that Champion is a sincere attempt at new-age storytelling. Even those critical of the pacing admit that the film’s intent is noble. Influential voices on X are calling it a “fresh breath of air” compared to routine commercial potboilers, bolstered by Mickey J. Meyer’s evocative background score.