Peddi Movie Review

Peddi Movie Review

TELUGU360 RATING: 3/5

Story:

At the foot of a hill in Vizianagaram district lies a village that officially does not exist. The government has never recognized it. Its residents have no voting rights, no identity, no bus service, and no railway stop. People are born and die there without ever being acknowledged.

Appalasuri (Jagapathi Babu) spends years petitioning authorities to establish a railway station for the village, but nobody listens.

Peddi (Ram Charan) is a young man from this forgotten village. He works in a jaggery factory and also earns money by playing cricket as a hired player for local teams. He is exceptionally talented.

When Appalasuri tragically dies on the railway tracks while fighting for the village’s cause, Peddi is deeply shaken. He resolves not only to bring a railway station to his village but also to secure dignity and recognition for its people.

How he uses his sporting talent and personal struggle to draw national attention to his village’s plight forms the heart of the story.

Analysis:

Buchi Babu seems to have written Peddi with a clear commercial and emotional blueprint in mind. Heroism, elevation moments, village issues, sports, emotions, victories, defeats, inspiration, and sacrifice everything audiences typically expect from a mass entertainer is present.

While sports dramas are common, Peddi distinguishes itself in several ways. It doesn’t revolve around just one sport. Cricket introduces the story, wrestling becomes a major turning point, and a third one plays a crucial role in the climax. Buchi Babu further adds the concept of a “crossover athlete” which gives the narrative a fresher angle.

The film begins in a familiar manner, with Boman Irani searching for the hero and learning his story through others. While the structure feels routine, it is an effective storytelling device for this genre.

Peddi’s introduction, his explosive sixes on the cricket field, and the energetic “Rai Rai Raa” song quickly pull audiences into the film. Simultaneously, the director steadily plants the seeds of the central conflict.

However, Janhvi Kapoor’s track feels disconnected from the main story. Her character contributes very little to the narrative and occasionally drifts into uncomfortable territory. This portion feels like a clear distraction.

Jagapathi Babu’s role occasionally slips into melodrama. Still, scenes such as the police station sequence, where the villagers realize they officially don’t exist, Peddi approaching Shiv Rajkumar’s character to learn wrestling, and the interval block all land effectively within a commercial framework.

By the end of the first half, audiences remembering Ram Charan’s performance and Rahman’s songs, feeling they have received decent value for their ticket.

Second Half:

The wrestling training sequence is one of the film’s major highlights.

This is where the crossover athlete concept is fully explored, and the entire segment is choreographed impressively. Amid regular action scenes, a well-executed wrestling competition feels refreshing and delivers a genuine crowd-pleasing moment.

The item song, however, doesn’t work. Despite Johnny Master’s choreography, neither the song nor the staging leaves much impact, perhaps because it lacks proper narrative placement.

As Peddi enters wrestling competitions and suffers a significant setback, the story gains momentum heading into the pre-climax. The hospital scene showcases some of Ram Charan’s finest acting in the film. Commercial stars often struggle with such emotionally vulnerable moments, but Charan commits fully and delivers one of his strongest performances.

The Delhi episode, however, doesn’t have the emotional weight it needed. Had the director maintained the same emotional intensity there, the impact would have been greater.

The climax is where the film truly shines. Peddi’s final decision and the way he plays the concluding game are genuinely moving. The thought of an athlete sacrificing so much for his village leaves a lasting emotional effect. Buchi Babu smartly ends the film while that feeling is still fresh.

Unlike the first half, which relies heavily on commercial ingredients, the second half remains committed to the story. Many supporting characters gradually disappear because the narrative takes center stage.

Interestingly, the film has no conventional villain. The village’s circumstances and systemic neglect become the true antagonists. For a major star vehicle, this is a risky choice but one that ultimately pays off.

Flaws:

The film isn’t without issues.

Peddi progresses through various national and international tournaments with surprising ease, and the film doesn’t adequately explain how he reaches those levels.

Boman Irani’s character, a sports academy official, somehow being unaware of a talent like Peddi feels implausible.

These details may not ruin the experience, but they do create noticeable gaps in logic.

Performances:

This is best performance of Ram Charan’s career, his dedication is visible in every frame.

He clearly believed in both Buchi Babu and the character. The physical transformation, athletic commitment, and intensity during emotional scenes all deserve praise.

The less said about Janhvi Kapoor’s role, the better.

Divyenndu, known for Mirzapur, is underutilized and largely disappears after the early portions of the film. Talented actors like Rao Ramesh are limited to brief appearances.

Jagapathi Babu’s role receives plenty of narrative importance, but not enough impactful screen presence. Shiv Rajkumar, meanwhile, leaves a positive impression through his mannerisms and screen presence.

Technical Aspects:

Technically, Peddi is very strong. The action team has delivered effectively. The cinematography and production design are top-class.

Rahman’s songs were already chartbusters before release, and his background score further elevates the film. The music feels fresh and distinctive.

Buchi Babu deserves credit for convincing a star hero to back a story like this. Special appreciation must go to the climax. Both writing and performing such a bold ending required conviction, and Buchi Babu and Ram Charan deserve recognition for taking that risk.

Verdict:

Buchi Babu delivers a story packed with heart, while Ram Charan gives one of his most emotionally powerful performances. There are scenes in the film that genuinely move you to tears. First half is average, second half is good. Go and Watch in Theaters.

Peddi certainly has the potential at the Box-office. How far it ultimately goes will be determined by the box office numbers in the coming weeks.

TELUGU360 RATING: 3/5