Telugu superstar Ram Charan has responded to the ongoing criticism surrounding his film Peddi, stating that the movie ultimately belongs to the audience and not to reviewers or public debate. The actor addressed the issue during the film’s success event in Hyderabad.
Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana and co-starring Janhvi Kapoor, has emerged as a massive commercial success, reportedly crossing ₹332 crore worldwide and becoming one of the highest-grossing Telugu films of the year despite controversy.
The backlash around the film largely stemmed from criticism of Janhvi Kapoor’s character, Achiyyamma, with some viewers alleging that certain scenes were unnecessarily sexualised. The debate triggered widespread discussion on social media and among film critics, leading to mixed reactions even as the film performed strongly at the box office.
Speaking at the event, Ram Charan focused on the audience response rather than the controversy. He said the film’s success reflects viewers’ acceptance, adding that once the audience connects with a film, their support is unwavering. He emphasized that Peddi “belongs to the audience” regardless of “who said what or what reviews were written.”
The actor also expressed gratitude to critics and reviewers for their feedback, acknowledging opinions from both major media outlets and independent reviewers. He said he appreciates everyone who took the time to watch and comment on the film.
Following the backlash, director Buchi Babu Sana also addressed the concerns, admitting that certain scenes did not land as intended with audiences. He clarified that the team’s goal was to portray a playful romantic narrative between the lead characters, but acknowledged the need for more careful representation in future projects.
In response to the criticism, the makers of Peddi reportedly removed the controversial portions and added revised footage for theatrical screenings. Despite the controversy, the film continues to maintain strong box office momentum and has marked a major comeback success for Ram Charan after earlier underperforming films.