Peddi REVIEW: ‘Pahadi Pehelwan’ Ram Charan Shines In Three Distinct Sports Avatars; Janhvi Kapoor, Divyenndu Deliver Massy Performances 

Film:
Peddi

Director: Buchi Babu Sana

Writer: Buchi Babu Sana

Cast: Ram Charan, Shiva Rajkumar, Janhvi Kapoor, Jagapathi Babu, Divyenndu and Boman Irani.

Platform: In Theatres

Runtime: 3 hours 9 minutes

Peddi Review

Set in the heart of rural Andhra Pradesh during the 1980s, Peddi follows the journey of a spirited villager (played by Ram Charan), who rallies his community through sports to protect their pride and identity within his own country. Directed on a grand scale, the sports drama blends action, emotion, and rural politics into a mass entertainer that aims to strike a chord with audiences.

At its core, Peddi is a story about resilience, unity and self-respect. While the narrative follows a familiar underdog formula, Peddi’s emotional depth and larger-than-life presentation help it stand apart. The sports drama unfolds over a decade, allowing viewers to witness the transformation of its protagonist and the evolution of his village’s struggle. Peddi succeeds because it understands that true spectacle begins with strong emotions.

What Works

The biggest strength of Peddi is undoubtedly Ram Charan. The mega power-star fully immerses himself in the rugged world of the film, delivering one of his most intense performances in recent years. His dialogue delivery, emotional scenes and commanding screen presence elevate several moments that could have otherwise felt routine. Peddi establishes that connection early and sustains it throughout its runtime.

Peddi also surprises with its treatment of sports as the story introduces audiences to three different sports, each playing a crucial role in the narrative. More importantly, Ram Charan showcases three distinctly different avatars, making his journey engaging throughout the film. The story’s central themes of dignity, identity, and perseverance are universally relatable. 

Visually, Peddi is a feast. The cinematographer R. Rathnavelu captures the rustic landscapes with grandeur, while A.R. Rahman’s music adds emotional weight to the proceedings. The background score particularly enhances the film’s high-voltage moments and sports sequences. The special number by Shruti Hassan brings glamour to the massy entertainer.

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Technical Analysis

Director Buchi Babu Sana crafts an emotionally driven sports drama that stays true to its massy roots. It is a balancing act that very few filmmakers manage successfully. The production design authentically recreates the 1980s rural setting, while the action choreography adds intensity to the sports-based conflicts.

The cinematography is among the film’s strongest assets, giving its cinematic scale. Even the music complements the narrative effectively and sometimes gives out Hollywood feels to the basic settings. The editing largely keeps the film engaging despite a slightly lengthy runtime.

The dialogues by Buchi Babu Sana, Krushna Hari, Nagendra Kasi, and Vara Prakash Toleti are both powerful and memorable. The writing team of Hari, Chinthakindi Srinivas, Vema Reddy, and Suneel Madhav deserves recognition for creating a compelling narrative. Lyrics by Anantha Sriram, Balaji, Ganesh, and Saladi enhance the emotional atmosphere, while Bosco Martis delivers visually engaging choreography.

Star Performances

Ram Charan as Peddi Pehelwan delivers a powerhouse performance, effortlessly portraying the different phases of Peddi’s life. Whether it’s the fiery wrestler, the determined sportsman or the emotional village leader, he brings conviction to every avatar.

Janhvi Kapoor as Achiyamma leaves a strong impression in a role that offers both warmth and emotional depth. She shares good chemistry with Ram Charan and contributes significantly to the film’s emotional core.

Divyenndu as Ram Bujji shines in a refreshing role, balancing humour, emotion, and loyalty with ease. He proves to be one of the film’s pleasant surprises.

Shiva Rajkumar as Gournaidu brings gravitas and authority to his character, making his presence felt in every scene.

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Jagapathi Babu as Appalasoori, delivers a solid act and emerges as a formidable force in the story. His sacrifice creates a huge impact on the storyline of the film.

Dayanand Reddy, Boman Irani and Ravi Kishan as 
the supporting cast performs admirably, adding depth and texture to the narrative.

Conclusion

Peddi is a rousing sports spectacle that combines action, emotion, and rural pride into an entertaining package. While it occasionally falls prey to familiar storytelling beats, Ram Charan’s powerful performance, strong visuals, and emotional highs ensure that the film remains engaging. For fans of mass entertainers with heart, Peddi delivers enough punches, sixes and a remarkable win to make it a worthwhile watch. You only have once in a lifetime so don’t miss out!

Watch the trailer of Peddi here:

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