PEDDI Is Not Just a Sports Drama, It’s an Emotional Journey: Director Buchi Babu Sana

As anticipation reaches fever pitch for Mega Power Star Ram Charan’s upcoming action drama PEDDI, director Buchi Babu Sana has opened up about the film’s journey, Ram Charan’s remarkable transformation, and the emotional depth that drives the story. The filmmaker interacted with the media ahead of the film’s grand premiere on June 3 and worldwide theatrical release on June 4.

Produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under Vriddhi Cinemas and presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings, PEDDI has already generated massive nationwide buzz through its impactful promotional campaign, chartbuster songs, and powerful theatrical trailer.

Five-Year Wait After Uppena

Reflecting on the long gap between Uppena and PEDDI, Buchi Babu said the journey took nearly five years despite the blockbuster success of his debut film. He revealed that filmmaker Sukumar introduced him to Ram Charan, and after narrating the story, the actor immediately connected with the script. While it took over two years to reach Charan with the story, the entire film was completed within a year and a half after receiving his approval.

Ram Charan’s Intense Transformation

The director disclosed that Ram Charan underwent rigorous training for his role as Peddi Pehelwan. While cricket forms part of the film’s backdrop, wrestling required extensive preparation. Trainers associated with the acclaimed film Dangal were brought in, and local Telangana wrestlers were also involved in the process. Charan reportedly trained for three to four months to convincingly portray the wrestler’s character.

A Story Written Exclusively for Ram Charan

Addressing speculation that the story was originally intended for Jr NTR, Buchi Babu firmly denied the reports. He clarified that PEDDI was conceived and developed specifically for Ram Charan, adding that the actor’s long-standing interest in doing a sports-based drama aligned perfectly with the narrative.

More Than Sports, A Powerful Emotional Core

According to the director, PEDDI is not merely a sports drama. He emphasized that the film contains a major emotional storyline that runs alongside the sports backdrop. A crucial 15-minute emotional block, which has been deliberately kept away from the trailer, is expected to be one of the film’s strongest highlights.

Stellar Cast with Powerful Roles

Buchi Babu praised the performances of the ensemble cast, revealing that Kannada superstar Shiv Rajkumar plays a mentor-like figure, while Jagapathi Babu’s character Appalasuri is one of the film’s most powerful roles after the protagonist. Actor Divyenndu Sharma also plays a significant and impactful character.

Speaking about Janhvi Kapoor, the director said she brings a unique charm to the film and shines in the romantic portions. He described her as highly dedicated, intelligent, and passionate about cinema.

Working with AR Rahman Was a Dream Come True

Buchi Babu expressed his admiration for Academy Award-winning composer A. R. Rahman, calling the collaboration a lifelong dream. He revealed that two more songs from the album are yet to be released and promised they would be major highlights. The director also shared an interesting anecdote about the recently released “Massa Massa” track, stating that Ram Charan’s positive reaction ultimately convinced the team to retain the song without exploring alternatives.

Injuries, Dedication, and a Memorable Climax

The filmmaker revealed that Ram Charan suffered several injuries during filming, particularly during the wrestling sequences. One incident involving an eye injury left him deeply concerned. Despite the setbacks, Charan remained committed to delivering authenticity in every scene.

Teasing the much-discussed climax, Buchi Babu said it is something audiences must experience on the big screen. He added that everyone who has seen it so far has described it as extraordinary.

“You Won’t See Ram Charan, You Will See Peddi”

Summing up the film, Buchi Babu described PEDDI as a wholesome commercial entertainer packed with emotions, family appeal, and inspirational moments. He confidently stated that audiences would not see Ram Charan on screen—they would only see Peddi and connect with his journey, his struggles, and what the sport teaches him about life.

With expectations soaring and advance buzz at an all-time high, PEDDI is poised to be one of the biggest Indian film releases of the year.