Cast: Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor, Jagapathi Babu, Shivarajkumar, Divyendu and Satya
Direction: Buchi Babu Sana
Rating: 2/5 stars
Ram Charan delivers a committed performance as Peddi, a rustic crossover athlete, sporting a convincing makeover and showcasing his acting, dancing, and sporting skills with ease. However, despite the star’s sincere efforts, Peddi struggles under the weight of a weak screenplay and uneven execution.
The film opens with Indian sports officials worrying about the country’s poor Olympic medal tally. A determined official, played by Boman Irani, sets out in search of hidden talent and discovers the plight of a tribal community that has long been neglected by the system. Among them is Peddi, a gifted athlete whose story forms the core of the narrative.
While the premise is promising, the film fails to translate its emotional potential onto the screen. Janhvi Kapoor’s character feels forced into the narrative and is reduced largely to a glamorous presence, making little impact on the story. Her performance is forgettable.
A.R. Rahman provides some much-needed support with few numbers and background score, elevating several otherwise dull sequences. Cinematographer R. Rathnavelu captures the rural landscapes effectively, lending visual richness to the film. Shivarajkumar and Jagapathi Babu make their presence felt in significant supporting roles.
Director Buchi Babu Sana, who won acclaim with Uppena, appears overly ambitious here. The film attempts to address the identity crisis and struggles of a marginalized tribal community while simultaneously functioning as a commercial entertainer filled with songs, romance, sports drama, and emotional moments. Unfortunately, these elements rarely blend together seamlessly.
The love story between Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor lacks emotional depth, while the sports sequences fail to generate the excitement expected from a star-driven film. Unlike successful sports dramas such as Dangal and Sultan, which were anchored by strong emotional journeys(former for girl power and the latter for reviving love) Peddi never fully establishes an engaging emotional connection with the audience.
The film’s most effective aspect is its shocking climax, which leaves a lasting impression. However, relying on a powerful ending cannot compensate for the slow and uninspiring narrative that precedes it.
Ultimately, Peddi is a film with noble intentions and an ambitious subject, but its execution falls disappointingly short. Ram Charan’s performance remains one of the few bright spots in an otherwise underwhelming cinematic experience.
Despite a strong performance from Ram Charan and a touching climax, Peddi fails to realize its potential due to a weak screenplay, forced commercial elements, and lack of emotional engagement.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
