Ram Charan-starrer Peddi finally arrived in theatres on Thursday amid huge expectations from fans and trade circles. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana and produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under the Vriddhi Cinemas banner, the big-budget sports drama features Janhvi Kapoor as the female lead, while Kannada superstar Shivarajkumar plays a pivotal role.
The film opened to mixed reviews, with some critics feeling that the director unnecessarily combined three different sports into a lengthy narrative that runs for more than three hours. However, one aspect that received unanimous appreciation was Ram Charan's performance. Many viewers and critics have hailed his portrayal as one of the finest of his career, with some even calling it award-worthy.
The film premiered in select locations across India on Wednesday ahead of its official release on Thursday. According to the makers, Peddi has registered a phenomenal opening at the box office. Production house Mythri Movie Makers announced that the film collected Rs 135.36 crore gross worldwide on its first day, including premiere shows.
The impressive opening once again underlines Ram Charan's box-office pull and marks one of the biggest openings for a Telugu film in recent times.
Set against the backdrop of Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh, the story follows Peddi, a determined young man who dreams of bringing recognition to his village and its people. His journey takes him through different sporting disciplines, including cricket, wrestling, and para sports, as he battles numerous challenges to achieve his goal. Ram Charan shoulders the film with an intense and committed performance in the title role.
Shivarajkumar plays Gourinaidu, a respected wrestling coach who trains aspiring wrestlers without expecting anything in return. Recognising Peddi's potential, he mentors him and helps him rise to the national level. Divyendu appears as Bujji, while Janhvi Kapoor plays Achiyamma, the female lead.
Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has scored the music for the film. The songs had already become popular before the release, contributing to the buzz surrounding the project. A major portion of the film was shot on elaborate sets designed by acclaimed art director Avinash Kolla.
Mounted on a reported budget of around Rs 350 crore, Peddi requires a strong theatrical run to achieve breakeven status. With an opening-day gross of Rs 135.36 crore, the film has got off to a flying start. Trade analysts are now expecting the film to post solid numbers over the weekend and continue its strong run at the box office.