Winner (2017) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo
Last updated: 11 Apr 2026
Winner (2017) Review
Winner (2017) — a Telugu action, drama movie directed by Gopichand Malineni. The cast includes Sai Durgha Tej, Rakul Preet Singh, Jagapati Babu. A fashion editor who hates horses decides to pursue horse racing to impress the girl (Rakul Preet Singh) of his dreams. Our Rating: 1.75/5. Verdict: DISASTER. Released: 24 Feb 2017. Runtime: 2h 35m.
Winner(2017)
Telugu · Action, Drama
2h 35m · 24 Feb 2017
Music: S. Thaman | DOP: Chota K. Naidu | Writer: Veligonda Srinivas, Gopichand Malineni, Abburi Ravi
Ratings
Our Rating
1.75
📖 Story
Winner is a Telugu action-comedy film revolving around a carefree young man who is forced to confront his past and take responsibility to protect his family and loved ones. The story blends family drama with action sequences and comedic moments as the protagonist evolves from a reckless youth to a determined hero.
Sai Durgha Tej: Energetic and charming in the lead role, though occasionally inconsistent with emotional depth.
Rakul Preet Singh: Provides a pleasant romantic presence with adequate screen time.
Jagapati Babu: Strong supporting role adding gravitas to the family drama.
Gopichand Malineni: Effective as the antagonist with a menacing screen presence.
💪 Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ✓Engaging action sequences
- ✓Good chemistry between lead actors
- ✓Energetic music score by S. Thaman
- ✓Cinematography by Chota K. Naidu
Weaknesses
- ✕Predictable storyline
- ✕Lengthy runtime with pacing issues
- ✕Weak screenplay in the second half
- ✕Underutilization of supporting cast
🎬 Direction & Writing
Gopichand Malineni delivers a commercial entertainer with a focus on mass appeal. While the direction keeps the film engaging in parts, the writing lacks freshness and relies heavily on formulaic tropes.
📰 Critic Reviews
The first half of Winner is good but the poorly made second half makes this film a below average one. At a glance, the movie had all elements to become a real winner, but it failed to become one because of the execution failure. Watch this routine commercial entertainer only for the grandeur, glamour and comedy.
Release date : February 24, 2017 123telugu.com Rating : 3/5 Director : Gopichand Malineni Producers : Nallamalupu Bujji, Tagore Madhu Music Director…
First half of the film is nice. Second half should have been better. Plus points of the films are primary cast, entertainment and sentiment. On the flipside, the film gives deja vu feeling. Screenplay and climax should have been better. On a whole, Winner is aimed at mass audiences. Winner links: reviews of previ…
📰 Ratings Sources
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 2 | |
| 2.5 | |
| 2.5 | |
| 3 | |
| 3 |
Our Rating
💰 Box Office Collection
No collection data available yet.
🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards
No centers data available.
No awards data available.
😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 30% |
| Neutral | 40% |
| Negative | 30% |
Critics
Critics generally found Winner to be a typical commercial entertainer with decent performances and technical values but criticized its predictable plot and lack of novelty. The film received mixed to average reviews, appreciated mainly for its mass appeal and action sequences.
Final Box-Office Result
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Winner release in theatres?▾
Winner released on 24 February 2017 (2017).
Is Winner a hit or flop?▾
Winner is declared a DISASTER at the box office.
Where to watch Winner online? OTT release date?▾
Winner is available on ZEE5 from 8 July 2022.
Who directed Winner?▾
Winner directed by Gopichand Malineni. Produced by Tagore Madhu, Nallamalupu Bujji.
Who are the main cast members of Winner?▾
Winner stars Sai Durgha Tej, Rakul Preet Singh, Jagapati Babu.
What is the Tollybo rating for Winner?▾
Tollybo rates Winner 1.75/5. Verdict: DISASTER.
Who composed the music for Winner?▾
Music for Winner composed by S. Thaman.
What is the genre and runtime of Winner?▾
Winner — Genre: Action, Drama, Runtime: 155 minutes, Language: Telugu.