Peddi Review: Ram Charan’s Peddi is now in theatres. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film tells the story of a man’s fight for identity, dignity and recognition. At its heart is Peddi, portrayed by Ram Charan, a gifted athlete who excels across multiple disciplines – cricket, wrestling and running, making him one of the rare crossover athletes.
Set against the backdrop of Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, Peddi introduces Charan’s character as an extraordinary sportsman who appears nearly unbeatable in every competition he enters. His athletic achievements earn him admiration, but the film goes far beyond the sporting arena. It is about how Peddi emerges as the voice of his village of 1800 people to fight the authorities and get an identity. But is the film worth watching? Let’s find out.
To begin with, just because a few recent blockbusters were over 3 hours long does not mean you have to stretch your movie. Peddi’s 3 hours and 9 minutes long runtime is a big issue. The film could have been easily trimmed. It looks stretched and slow. There are several sequences in the film which could have been easily removed.
Ram Charan is the only reason why one might want to visit a theatre to watch Peddi. The actor delivers a powerhouse performance as the multi-talented sportsman, effortlessly carrying the film on his shoulders. Whether it is his character’s determination, vulnerability, anger, or victory, Charan brings every emotion to life with remarkable conviction and sincerity.
Ram Charan’s dedication to the role is evident in every frame. From his striking physical transformation to his commanding screen presence, the actor showcases the immense effort he has invested in the project. He infuses Peddi with infectious energy, making even the film’s weaker moments watchable. In a film that often struggles, Ram Charan emerges as its biggest strength. Not to forget, his dance moves are a cherry on top.
But unfortunately, apart from Ram Charan’s performance, the film does not offer a lot to the audience. One of the biggest problems with the film is its writing and execution. The plot has several flaws. The narrative is riddled with inconsistencies, while the screenplay struggles to establish a clear direction. Key plot developments often feel underdeveloped or poorly explained, making it difficult to stay invested in the story. Forget about being gripping, the film often leaves frustrated and disconnected. The first half of the film is relatively slow with poor execution. One is left wondering while watching the film, ‘Why am I being tortured?’
Janhvi Kapoor’s storyline in the film is neither interesting nor justified. The actress gets limited screentime in the movie with no character development. One must not hesitate in saying that Janhvi is wasted in the movie, and the credit goes to poor writing.
Now, an important note for the makers: it is high time we realise ‘No means no’. Janhvi Kapoor’s introduction scene in the film is highly problematic. Ram Charan’s character objectifies her while describing her physical appearance in an extremely derogatory way. In a following scene, when a supporting character asks Charan’s Peddi how he will recognise Janhvi, he says, “Chehra dekh kar nahi, kamariya se phechan lenge (I can recognise her from her waist),” adding, “Uss chikri ka hume sab kuch pata hai bas chehra chod ke (I remember every bit of that lady other than her face).”
It does not end here. Ram Charan’s Peddi then visits Janhvi’s house at night and forcibly kisses her. While Janhvi expresses objection to it repeatedly, Peddi justifies it, saying it was his way of love.
Honestly, I fail to understand how Janhvi Kapoor or Ram Charan even agree to do such problematic scenes. What were makers even thinking? Cinema is beyond entertainment. It comes with great responsibility.
Divyenndu’s character also fails to offer anything new. He is, as we saw him in Mirzapur. Even Shiva Rajkumar and Jagapathi Babu look underused. Boman Irani makes no difference to the script. Ravi Kishan’s extended cameo does not impress too. But, it should be noted that all of this is not because the actors’ performance but because of weak writing and direction.
Overall, Peddi can be skipped. Watch it at your own risk and only if you are a Ram Charan fan.
Source:- News18
