Controversy Surrounds Ram Charan's Peddi Amidst Box Office Success

Ram Charan's latest film, Peddi, has made a significant impact at the box office, achieving one of the largest openings of 2026. However, the film is facing backlash over the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor's character, with critics accusing the filmmakers of objectification. Director Buchi Babu Sana has acknowledged the criticism and promised to improve future representations of female characters. Despite the controversy, Peddi's narrative about unrecognized villages and its emotional core has resonated with audiences, making it a noteworthy release this year.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 5, 2026, 19:16 IST

Overview of Peddi's Release

Ram Charan's eagerly anticipated sports drama, Peddi, premiered in theaters on June 4 and achieved impressive box office results. However, the film's financial triumph has been marred by a rising controversy regarding the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor's character. In response to the backlash, director Buchi Babu Sana has acknowledged the criticism, admitting that certain aspects did not resonate as intended and vowing to approach female character portrayals with greater sensitivity in future films.

Buchi Babu Sana Responds to Criticism

Buchi Babu Sana Addresses Peddi Backlash

In an interview with a media outlet, Buchi Babu Sana recognized the backlash, stating, "I did not foresee that audiences would react so negatively to those scenes." He conceded that the execution of those moments did not align with his original vision. The director clarified that the goal behind Janhvi Kapoor's storyline was to depict a lighthearted romance between her character, Achiyyamma, and Ram Charan's Peddi. "The intention was to illustrate a playful love story between Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor," he explained. Nonetheless, he admitted that the execution fell short and promised to improve in the future, saying, "We will be more cautious and ensure better representations."

Criticism of Janhvi Kapoor's Character

Why Are Janhvi Kapoor's Scenes Getting Criticised?

Numerous viewers have accused the filmmakers of objectifying Janhvi Kapoor's character, reducing her role to mere glamour. A widely circulated critique pointed out a scene where Peddi compliments Achiyyamma's eyes and lips, only for the visuals to shift to her chest and waist. Another moment, where a villain publicly humiliates Janhvi's character, was also criticized for its poor writing and problematic portrayal of heroism.

This isn't the first instance where Buchi Babu Sana has faced scrutiny. His debut film, Uppena (2021), which featured a then 17-year-old Krithi Shetty, also received criticism regarding the framing of the hero's obsessive pursuit of her character.

Peddi's Box Office Performance

Peddi Takes Bumper Opening

Despite the surrounding controversy, Peddi has achieved one of the largest openings of 2026, grossing an impressive Rs 69.50 crore in India on its first day, including paid previews, making it the highest-grossing Telugu film opening of the year thus far. The Telugu version led with Rs 47.20 crore, while the Hindi version contributed Rs 3 crore. The Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam versions accounted for the remaining earnings. The film's narrative centers on nameless villages striving for identity and recognition. Ram Charan portrays Peddi, a cricketer-for-hire from one of these overlooked settlements, whose journey serves as the film's emotional backbone. Janhvi Kapoor plays his love interest, Achiyyamma, with a supporting cast that includes Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyenndu, Vijay Sethupathi, Boman Irani, and Prakash Raj in significant roles.