Champion OTT review: Roshan Meka and Anaswara Rajan starer could have worked if the execution was better

Champion is streaming on OTT

• "Champion" is now streaming on Netflix after its December 2025 theatrical release.
• Michael, a 1948 Hyderabad football fan, gets involved in a freedom fight.
• Champion has a strong premise but suffers from uneven execution and pacing

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Director: Pradeep Advaitham

Cast: Roshan Meka, Anaswara Rajan, Nandamuri Kalyana Chakravarthy, Santhosh Prathap and others

Rating: 2.5/5

Champion, which stars Roshan Meka and Anaswara Rajan, came out in theatres on December 25, 2025. The period sports drama is now on Netflix after finishing its run in theatres. This gives people another chance to see the movie. If you're thinking about watching it online, here's a new look at the movie.

Plot

Set in 1948, Champion is about Michael Williams, a young football fan from Secunderabad, which was part of the old Hyderabad State ruled by the Nizams. Michael works at a bakery to pay the bills, but his only goal is to go to England and become a famous professional football player.

His plans hit a snag just when it looks like his dream of playing for a Manchester-based football club in London is within reach. His father's past makes it impossible for him to get into the country. Michael agrees to drive a shipment of illegal guns for a pilot in a last-ditch effort to get around this problem.

But fate takes him to Bairanpally, a village in the middle of a fierce fight between the Nizams and the Razakars. Michael's own dream takes a back seat as he gets caught up in the villagers' fight for freedom. What happens next and whether he reaches his goal are the emotional heart of the movie.

What Works

Champion is an interesting idea on paper. The story has a strong emotional hook because it is set in the 1940s and follows a young man's dreams of becoming a professional athlete. At first, the screenplay moves at a good pace, and some scenes keep the viewer interested.

The premise itself makes people want to cheer for Michael's journey. Mickey J. Meyer's music is technically impressive, with pieces that fit the time and mood of the movie. The cinematography also deserves credit for capturing the village's rustic feel and giving us some beautiful shots.

What doesn’t

Champion has a great premise, but it doesn't work out well. The movie doesn't do a good job of showing its strong ideas on screen, and it often loses track of the story. One big problem is that the characters don't get enough depth, which hurts both the main characters and the supporting cast.

The editing makes the experience even worse, making the movie feel stretched and repetitive at times. The pacing often drags, which makes it hard to stay interested because it doesn't build tension or emotional impact.

Performances

Roshan Meka works hard and uses his charm and presence on screen to carry the role. Anaswara Rajan gives a heartfelt performance in her first Telugu film and even dubs her own voice. But sometimes her character as a Telugu village girl from the 1940s doesn't seem real, and a Malayalam accent makes it less believable.

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Verdict:

Champion has a strong central idea and a compelling story, but it doesn't leave a lasting impression because the execution and storytelling are uneven. The movie has some moments that make you think about what could have been, but in the end, it's not very memorable.

That said, people who like period dramas or stories about ambition and struggle might still want to watch Champion once on OTT.