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Ram Charan’s much-awaited sports drama Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, presents an inspiring story of a marginalized villager fighting for dignity and recognition through sports. While the film boasts strong performances, impactful social themes, and impressive sports sequences, its overcrowded narrative and excessive runtime dilute the overall impact, making it an uneven cinematic experience.
Ram Charan Leads an Ambitious Sports Saga in ‘Peddi’
Director Buchi Babu Sana’s Peddi attempts to blend sports, social commentary, and personal struggle into a large-scale cinematic experience. Released in Telugu and dubbed in Hindi, the film stars Ram Charan in the titular role alongside Janhvi Kapoor, Shiva Rajkumar, Boman Irani, and Divyenndu.
At its core, Peddi tells the story of a poor laborer who uses his extraordinary athletic abilities to uplift his neglected community. However, the film expands far beyond this simple premise, incorporating multiple sports, political conflicts, and social issues into a sprawling narrative.
#Peddi is why Ram Charan is one of the best performers in India 🔥❤️ Man literally transformed into Peddi pic.twitter.com/qHoy2GhW9x
— Ram Kohli💥🔥 (@ramtharun41) June 4, 2026
A Story of Talent, Identity, and Community Struggle
Peddi lives in a remote village whose residents lack official government documentation and face constant exploitation. Despite these harsh conditions, he develops exceptional cricketing skills and dreams of securing identity papers and basic infrastructure, including a railway station, for his people.
His cricketing talent earns him a place in a local league resembling the Indian Premier League. Alongside his sporting journey, Peddi develops feelings for Achiyamma (Janhvi Kapoor), the daughter of a local politician.
As the story progresses, Peddi realizes that success in cricket alone may not be enough to secure justice for his village. This realization pushes him into other sporting arenas, including wrestling and competitive running, as he continues his fight for dignity and recognition.
Olympic Connection Adds a New Layer
The film uses India’s disappointing performance at the 2016 Olympic Games as a narrative framework.
A government ministry official, played by Boman Irani, embarks on a search for undiscovered sporting talent. His journey leads him to an Andhra Pradesh town, where he hears the legendary story of Peddi and travels to the hero’s remote hilltop village.
This storytelling device aims to connect Peddi’s personal journey with broader national conversations about talent, opportunity, and representation.
Strengths: Sports Sequences and Ram Charan’s Performance
One of the film’s biggest strengths is its energetic sports action.
The cricket, wrestling, and running sequences are visually engaging and crafted with considerable scale. The film successfully captures the excitement and emotional intensity of competition.
Ram Charan delivers a committed performance, fully embracing Peddi’s transformation from a struggling villager to a larger-than-life folk hero. His physical dedication and screen presence help anchor many of the film’s most dramatic moments.
Shiva Rajkumar also leaves a strong impression as veteran coach Garunaidu, appearing in one of the film’s most focused and compelling subplots.
Narrative Overload Weakens the Impact
Despite its strengths, Peddi faces criticism for trying to tell too many stories at once.
The screenplay, developed from a story by Buchi Babu Sana and written by multiple writers, introduces numerous plotlines and characters that appear and disappear throughout the film. The transition from cricket to wrestling and eventually running feels abrupt and, at times, difficult to justify within the narrative.
At nearly 189 minutes, the film’s lengthy runtime further contributes to pacing issues. Several emotional scenes, speeches, and dramatic moments are stretched beyond their natural impact.
Janhvi Kapoor’s Character Draws Criticism
Achiyamma, portrayed by Janhvi Kapoor, is introduced as the politically connected daughter of a local leader. Given her position and influence, the character appears capable of contributing meaningfully to Peddi’s struggle for official recognition of his village.
However, the film largely sidelines her potential, limiting her role primarily to the romantic subplot. Critics have noted that the character lacks depth and is not utilized effectively within the larger narrative.
Important Social Themes Remain Relevant
Beneath its commercial storytelling, Peddi raises important questions about marginalized communities that remain invisible in official records and often lack access to basic government services.
The film highlights issues of identity, exclusion, exploitation, and the struggle for recognition. These themes give the story emotional weight and social relevance, even when the screenplay becomes overly complicated.
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