Ram Charan's Peddi Unveils Extended Theatrical Cut with New Scenes

Extended Version of Peddi Released

This week, Ram Charan's hit film Peddi has been re-released in theaters with an extended version that adds nearly six minutes of fresh footage. The newly included scenes feature Janhvi Kapoor and veteran actor Jagapathi Babu, enhancing the narrative and providing deeper insight into Rao Ramesh's political character. These changes were made following critiques regarding the portrayal of the female lead, which many viewers felt was insufficiently developed in the original version. The revised cut began screening in cinemas on Thursday (June 18). Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film has grossed an impressive Rs 400 crore at the box office.

New Footage Enhances Janhvi Kapoor's Role

The production team has released a revised cut of Peddi that incorporates close to six minutes of additional content. This updated version, which debuted this week, includes approximately 5 minutes and 56 seconds of new scenes. A significant portion of this footage highlights Janhvi Kapoor's character, Achiyamma, showcasing her emotional journey and clarifying her relationships within the plot. Achiyamma, the daughter of a local politician portrayed by Rao Ramesh, navigates her romantic life while also supporting her father's political aspirations. These additions were made in response to earlier feedback that criticized her character's hypersexualization.

The re-edited version also features a light-hearted Pelli Choopulu-style sequence, depicting a traditional bride-viewing scenario that transitions into a more emotional scene later on. Additionally, a new market scene introduced before the Chikiri song aims to provide a more realistic buildup to the romance.

Controversy Surrounding Janhvi Kapoor's Character

Previous versions of Peddi faced backlash due to scenes involving Janhvi Kapoor's character, which drew criticism from various audience segments. Director Buchi Babu Sana later expressed regret and confirmed the removal of certain scenes, including one where Ram Charan's character kisses her without consent, leaving her distressed. Another contentious scene reportedly depicted goons attempting to undress her character. Alongside these moments, social media users voiced concerns over the frequent close-up shots and what they deemed weak character development. On X (formerly Twitter), many criticized the depiction of women and the handling of intimate scenes, labeling them as outdated and problematic. Despite the controversies, the film has surpassed the Rs 400 crore milestone globally within two weeks of its release, establishing itself as the highest-grossing South Indian film of 2026 to date.