Director Buchi Babu Sana has become one of the most talked-about filmmakers in Telugu cinema. After making a sensational debut with Uppena, which emerged as a blockbuster and earned a National Award, he has now directed superstar Ram Charan in his second film, Peddi.
Speaking at the grand Peddi event held in Vijayawada, Buchi Babu reflected on the five-year journey that led him to the ambitious project.
“My first film Uppena was released five years ago. It became a huge success, earned profits for the producers, and won a National Award. After that, many people kept asking me what I had been doing all these years. My answer is simple — I was working on Peddi,” said an emotional Buchi Babu.
The director also spoke about his special connection with Vijayawada. “I have a very emotional bond with this city. I wrote the story of Uppena while studying at Nagarjuna University and travelling on a bicycle. I also received the news that I was becoming a father while I was in Vijayawada. So this city will always be special to me,” he said.
Recalling the period after Uppena, Buchi Babu thanked his mentor Sukumar for helping him connect with Ram Charan. “After the success of Uppena, I was moving around with a lot of tension about my next project. My guru Sukumar sir introduced me to Ram Charan sir. I will always be grateful to him. Megastar Chiranjeevi garu gave me Uppena, and Ram Charan sir gave me Peddi. When I narrated the story to Charan sir, he did not suggest a single correction. He accepted the story exactly as I narrated it,” he said.
Talking about the film, Buchi Babu emphasized that Peddi is much more than a commercial entertainer. “Peddi is an emotional journey. It is about how a sportsperson earns identity and respect and influences the people around him. Peddi faces setbacks, falls several times, but rises stronger every time. How he overcomes those challenges forms the heart of the story,” he explained.
The director described the experience of making the film with Ram Charan as one of the most memorable phases of his career. “When a story is written with honesty and sincerity, miracles happen. A star like Ram Charan believing in me and giving me this opportunity is something very rare. Not many directors get a film of this scale as their second project. I am forever grateful to Charan sir for trusting me and my story,” he said.
Buchi Babu also revealed that he has watched the film close to 100 times during the making process. “Even after watching it so many times, the final 40 to 50 minutes still make me emotional. I have cried several times while watching those portions. My friends who have seen the film told me that I have made a good film and assured me that audiences will connect with it,” he said.
The director also disclosed the scale of the production. “Uppena was made on a budget of around Rs 25 crore. Peddi has been mounted on a scale of nearly Rs 350 crore. Producer Satish garu never imposed any restrictions and gave me complete freedom. I have made this film with immense care and responsibility,” he said.
Appealing to audiences to watch the film with their families, Buchi Babu said the movie carries an inspiring message. “Peddi is a story of perseverance. It shows that if you remain persistent and committed, success will eventually come your way. It is a film that families and children can watch together,” he said.
The filmmaker reserved special praise for Ram Charan’s performance. “Ram Charan sir has delivered one of the finest performances of his career. Particularly in the second half, there are four or five scenes where he reaches an extraordinary level as an actor. Audiences will definitely witness a new dimension of his performance,” he said.
Buchi Babu also lauded leading lady Janhvi Kapoor, who plays the character Achayamma. “We are all huge admirers of your mother, Sridevi garu. Janhvi has played Achayamma beautifully, and hers is one of the most important roles in the film. Her performance in the climax is outstanding. There is a strong sense of heroism in her character, and I am grateful that she became part of this journey,” he said.
The director also highlighted veteran actor Jagapathi Babu’s role as Appalasuri. “Whenever Jagapathi Babu garu appears on screen as Appalasuri, audiences will be deeply moved. I am confident that his character will evoke strong emotions and leave many viewers in tears,” Buchi Babu concluded.
