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Buchi Babu Responds to Peddi Criticism, Promises Changes

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Director Buchi Babu Sana has responded to the criticism surrounding certain scenes featuring Janhvi Kapoor in Peddi, assuring audiences that their concerns have been heard and taken seriously.

Director Addresses Objectification Concerns

In a heartfelt statement addressing the Buchi Babu criticism, the filmmaker emphasized that cinema should entertain, inspire, and connect with people, and should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected. Addressing the ongoing discussion on social media, Buchi Babu clarified that it was never the intention of the team to objectify or disrespect any female character in the film.

Acknowledging the reactions from viewers, the director said he respects the sentiments expressed by audiences and understands the concerns that have been raised. He also offered an apology to those who felt offended by the portrayal of certain scenes in Peddi.

Team Confirms Changes to Controversial Scenes

The director further revealed that the team has reviewed the feedback and decided to make changes to the portions that sparked criticism. He noted that filmmakers have a responsibility to evolve with changing audience perspectives and remain sensitive to social concerns.

Reiterating his respect for women both on and off the screen, Buchi Babu stated that every woman deserves dignity, respect, and meaningful representation. He also affirmed his commitment to creating stories that celebrate strong characters and positive values.

Positive Reception to Director’s Response

His response has been widely appreciated by many moviegoers, with several praising the filmmaker for addressing the issue openly and taking corrective action based on audience feedback. The decision to modify the film demonstrates the team’s willingness to listen to viewers and adapt accordingly.

As Peddi continues its theatrical run alongside Ram Charan’s powerful performance, all eyes will now be on the updated version of the film and how the changes are received by audiences. The move sets a precedent for filmmakers responding constructively to audience concerns.

Sujeeth Works on OG 2 and Prabhas Film Post-OG Success

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Director Sujeeth is keeping busy with multiple high-profile projects, including OG 2 with Pawan Kalyan and a reunion film with Prabhas, while managing scheduling delays on his immediate next release.

Bloody Romeo Delayed as Nani Prioritizes The Paradise

After the success of OG, which became the biggest grosser in Pawan Kalyan‘s career, Sujeeth had planned to immediately begin his next project with Nani, titled Bloody Romeo. However, with Nani currently occupied with The Paradise, the project has been pushed into a waiting phase.

Despite the delay, Sujeeth is making productive use of this period. The director has already completed the script for Bloody Romeo and finished most of the pre-production planning, ensuring the film is ready to roll once Nani becomes available.

OG 2 Script in Development

While waiting, Sujeeth has shifted his focus to developing OG 2. The ending of OG left enough scope for a sequel, and Pawan Kalyan is said to be keen on continuing the franchise. Sujeeth has been working on the script and story development for the follow-up.

Though OG did not meet box-office expectations despite becoming Pawan Kalyan‘s biggest film, fans were impressed with Sujeeth‘s stylish presentation of the star, creating demand for a sequel.

Prabhas Project Also in the Works

At the same time, the director is reportedly preparing a script for Prabhas. Although Saaho did not achieve the desired result critically, the film generated huge box-office numbers and Sujeeth‘s stylish presentation received appreciation from audiences.

Prabhas is said to be open to reuniting with Sujeeth, making the project an exciting possibility. By developing both OG 2 and the Prabhas film simultaneously, Sujeeth is ensuring he has multiple big-ticket projects ready for production.

The Paradise August Release Faces Postponement Buzz

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The Paradise is the biggest film in Nani’s career, being mounted on a massive budget of over ₹200 crore. The film was initially planned for a release at the end of March but was later postponed by nearly six months and rescheduled for an August 21 release.

August Release Faces Fresh Doubts

However, over the past few days, strong buzz has emerged within the industry that the film could face yet another postponement. Interestingly, the makers had continuously denied postponement rumors during the first schedule as well, but the film was eventually pushed to a later date. Because of that, many in the industry are treating the current denials with caution.

Production Timeline Raises Doubts

Several factors are fueling these postponement speculations. The team had originally planned to release the second single in May, but it is yet to be unveiled. In addition, shooting is still in progress, and a considerable amount of post-production work remains pending. Completing the entire shoot and finishing post-production in time for an August 21 release appears to be a challenging task for The Paradise.

Director’s Commitment to Quality

Another important factor is director Srikanth Odela’s working style. Known for his perfectionism, Srikanth never compromises on quality or timelines when it comes to delivering the best possible output. Given his approach, rushing the film to meet a release date seems unlikely.

Considering the current production status, an August 21 release appears to have very slim chances. As of now, the film is widely expected to move to another release date, although an official confirmation from the makers is still awaited.

Peddi Hindi Numbers Are a Big Concern for Pan-India Release

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Peddi is the latest pan-India release from the Telugu Film Industry, and its Peddi Hindi numbers are falling short of expectations. The film’s two-day box office performance is decent overall, but the Hindi market—critical for pan-India success—is underperforming significantly.

Hindi Market Performance Falls Short

Normally, when a pan-India film comes from Tollywood, the makers expect strong numbers from the Hindi market after Telugu markets. There have been many films that underperformed in Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada but still delivered impressive numbers in Hindi. In many cases, the success of a pan-India blockbuster is largely determined by its Hindi revenue.

For Peddi, the performance in other South Indian languages, excluding Telugu, has been underwhelming—which was somewhat expected. However, the film is not posting even reasonable numbers in Hindi, which comes as a surprise.

DayHindi Nett Collections
Day 1Around ₹3 Cr
Day 2Around ₹2.5 Cr

The film opened with around ₹3 crore nett in Hindi on its first day across India. More concerning is that Day 2 collections of Peddi in Hindi fell below the opening day, with the film collecting only around ₹2.5 crore nett.

Ideally, the film needs to reach at least ₹60 crore nett in Hindi to be considered a decent success in the market. However, the current momentum does not suggest that outcome. If the film fails to show significant growth over today and tomorrow, even a ₹25 crore nett lifetime total could become a difficult target.

Overall Box Office Performance

Peddi is doing well in the Telugu states and is posting decent numbers in Telugu-version ROI markets. However, the overseas performance has been poor, while the other language versions have been disastrous.

The film’s total worldwide gross after two days is estimated to be around ₹155 crore across all languages. Meanwhile, the break-even target is close to ₹500 crore gross, leaving a long way to go in its theatrical run.

Unlike recent pan-India blockbusters such as Dhurandhar: The Revenge, which crossed ₹1600 crore worldwide with massive Hindi contributions, Peddi is struggling to establish a foothold in North India. The Hindi belt remains crucial for any Telugu film aiming for true pan-India success, and Peddi Hindi numbers will need a dramatic turnaround in the coming days to avoid being labeled a Hindi market failure.

Janhvi Kapoor Peddi Role: Backlash Over Character

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Janhvi Kapoor is facing intense backlash following the release of Peddi, her latest Telugu film with Ram Charan. Critics and audiences have slammed her character portrayal, with many calling it oversexualized and poorly written—marking her second consecutive disappointment in Tollywood.

Legacy and Expectations

As the daughter of legendary actress Sridevi, Janhvi Kapoor carries the weight of her mother’s iconic legacy, particularly in Telugu cinema where Sridevi remains one of the biggest stars ever. Sridevi wasn’t just known for glamour but for delivering remarkable performances and carrying films on the strength of her screen presence and acting talent.

Janhvi made her Telugu debut alongside NTR in Devara, but her character was heavily criticized for being poorly written, lacking narrative purpose, and existing largely to add glamour to the film.

Peddi Character Sparks Controversy

When director Buchi Babu Sana cast Janhvi Kapoor in Peddi, many expected a breakthrough role. After all, Buchi Babu had previously written a strong female character for Krithi Shetty in Uppena. Fans hoped Janhvi would finally get a performance-oriented role with substantial screen presence.

However, following the film’s release on June 4, 2026, audiences were shocked by her characterization as Achiyamma. Critics have pointed out scenes where the camera focuses on her body while dialogue mentions facial features, along with problematic sequences that reinforced outdated portrayals of women. Many viewers questioned how such a female character could still be written in 2026.

The sports drama, which stars Ram Charan in the lead role and features music by A.R. Rahman, has received mixed reviews overall. While Ram Charan’s performance has been praised, Janhvi’s character has become one of the most discussed negatives of the film. Director Buchi Babu Sana has since addressed the backlash, acknowledging he hadn’t anticipated the negative reaction.

Future at Stake

With back-to-back disappointing characterizations in Telugu cinema, Janhvi Kapoor now faces increasing scrutiny over her role selections. Her next Telugu project could be crucial in determining whether she can establish a long-term career in the industry and overcome the perception that she’s failing to live up to her mother’s legacy.

Peddi Day 2 Box Office: Ram Charan Film Holds Strong

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Ram Charan‘s Peddi Day 2 box office performance shows a strong hold in Andhra Pradesh, with the film expected to gross closer to ₹40 Cr worldwide today. After an impressive opening, the sports action drama has demonstrated solid audience retention in key territories.

Day 2 Performance Breakdown

The film held extraordinarily well in Andhra Pradesh on its second day, while Nizam region posted decent numbers. However, the overall picture is mixed across different markets.

TerritoryDay 2 Performance
Andhra PradeshExtraordinarily well
NizamDecent numbers
Telugu ROIOkayish
Other LanguagesTrending downward
OverseasTrending downward

With Day 2’s estimated ₹40 Cr gross, Peddi‘s 2-day worldwide gross has crossed the ₹150 Cr mark, with total collections estimated at around ₹155 Cr gross. This puts the film on a strong trajectory, though mainstream reports indicate the film is generating significant box office buzz nationwide.

Weekend Crucial for Recovery

Peddi now needs a big Day 3 across all territories, as the business targets and recovery requirements are quite high for this big-budget venture. The Day 2 hold in Andhra Pradesh is encouraging, but the downward trend in other language markets and overseas circuits remains a concern.

The film’s performance in Telugu ROI and non-Telugu markets will be critical for achieving its breakeven targets. Fans are hopeful that Ram Charan‘s star power will drive solid numbers over the extended weekend, particularly on Saturday and Sunday when family audiences typically turn out in larger numbers.

The next 48 hours will determine whether Peddi can maintain momentum and recover its substantial investment.

Varanasi: Mythological Rama-Kumbhakarna Conflict Revealed

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Director S.S. Rajamouli is currently working on what is being touted as the most ambitious project of his career, Varanasi, which features a strong mythological theme. Starring Superstar Mahesh Babu in the lead role, the film has already generated tremendous excitement among movie lovers across the globe.

Positioned as a grand international-scale adventure, Varanasi is expected to feature multiple layers of storytelling. The recently released glimpse hinted at mythological connections, and now writer Vijayendra Prasad has revealed an exciting detail about the film’s core narrative.

Mythological Core Revealed

In a recent interview, Vijayendra Prasad disclosed that Varanasi centers on a fascinating mythological conflict between Lord Rama and Kumbhakarna. According to him, the legendary battle and ideological clash between these two iconic characters will serve as one of the film’s central highlights.

This Varanasi mythological angle adds significant depth to what was already anticipated as a grand-scale adventure. The clash represents not just physical combat but also a deeper philosophical conflict rooted in the Ramayana, one of ancient India’s greatest epics.

Rama and Kumbhakarna Face-Off

Reports suggest that Mahesh Babu will be portraying a character inspired by Lord Rama, while Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran is set to play a role modeled on Kumbhakarna. This intriguing combination has further increased anticipation surrounding the project.

When asked whether the story unfolds across multiple timelines or different eras, the veteran writer chose to remain tight-lipped. He stated that he could not reveal any further details at this stage.

Production Timeline and Release

The film is currently progressing at a brisk pace, with the makers reportedly aiming to complete principal photography by August. Mounted on a massive scale with cutting-edge visual effects and global production standards, Varanasi is shaping up to be one of the biggest cinematic spectacles ever produced in Indian cinema.

The makers have officially announced that the film will hit theatres worldwide on April 7, 2027, setting the stage for what could be another landmark achievement from the Rajamouli camp.

Slum Dog Teaser on June 8: Vijay Sethupathi’s Action Drama

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The makers of Slum Dog, the highly anticipated pan-India action drama starring Vijay Sethupathi and directed by Puri Jagannadh, have announced that the film’s teaser will be unveiled on June 8. The movie has completed production, and post-production work is progressing swiftly across all languages.

Produced by Puri Jagannadh, Charmme Kaur, and JB Narayan Rao Kondrolla, Slum Dog (subtitled 33 Temple Road) has generated strong buzz with its intriguing title and first-look posters.

Teaser Poster and Cast Details

The newly released teaser poster features a blindfolded man with a blood-stained machete held to his neck, hinting at a dark, intense, and violent narrative. The gripping visual has amplified anticipation for the teaser drop.

Alongside Vijay Sethupathi, Slum Dog stars Samyuktha, Tabu, and Duniya Vijay in pivotal roles, with Brahmaji and VTV Ganesh in supporting characters. National Award-winning composer Harshavardhan Rameshwar is scoring the music. The film is set for a pan-India release in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi.

Dhootha Second Season Begins: Naga Chaitanya Returns

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Amazon Prime Video’s hit supernatural thriller Dhootha is officially returning with a second season. The sequel was launched with a traditional puja ceremony, with Nagarjuna Akkineni sounding the clapboard and handing over the script to the makers.

Naga Chaitanya Returns as Actor and Producer

Naga Chaitanya, who made a successful OTT debut with the first season, is not only reprising his role but is also turning producer alongside Sharrath Marar under Annapurna Studios and NorthStar Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. banners. This marks a significant expansion of the actor’s role in content creation.

Director Vikram K Kumar returns to helm the Dhootha second season, promising a more intense narrative with higher stakes, deeper mysteries, and an even bigger supernatural experience. The filmmaker, known for his innovative storytelling in films like Manam and 24, aims to elevate the sequel beyond the first season’s success.

Building on Season One’s Success

The first season of Dhootha streamed in December 2023 and quickly became one of Amazon Prime Video’s most-watched Telugu series, trending at the number one position following its release. The supernatural thriller received praise from industry insiders and audiences alike for its gripping narrative.

Riding high on the recent success of Thandel, Naga Chaitanya has chosen the Dhootha second season as his next major project, reflecting his confidence in the story’s potential. The second season will also feature Parvathy Thiruvothu and Priya Bhavani Shankar in key roles.

The technical team includes cinematographer V. Mukeshswaran, music composer Ishaan Chhabra, production designer Pravalya D, and costume designer Anusha Punjala. More details about the cast and production schedule are expected to be announced soon.

Peddi Strong Opening: ₹71 Cr Share on Day 1, Enters Top 10

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Mega Power Star Ram Charan’s much-awaited sports drama Peddi has delivered a strong opening at the box office, registering one of the biggest opening days in Telugu cinema history.

The film has collected an impressive ₹71 crore share from its Telugu version on Day 1, securing the 8th spot among the highest opening-day shares for Telugu films. This remarkable achievement places Peddi alongside some of the biggest blockbusters ever produced in the industry.

Top 10 Telugu Opening Day Shares

RankFilmOpening Day Share
1RRR₹109 Cr
2Pushpa 2₹105 Cr
3OG₹88 Cr
4Devara₹87 Cr
5Kalki 2898 AD₹78 Cr
6Salaar₹76 Cr
7Baahubali 2₹76 Cr
8Peddi₹71 Cr
9The Raja Saab₹59 Cr
10Guntur Kaaram₹53 Cr

Peddi’s strong opening reflects the massive anticipation surrounding the collaboration between Ram Charan and director Buchi Babu Sana. The film’s impressive Day 1 performance is expected to continue throughout the first weekend, with trade analysts predicting solid hold across all territories.

Peddi Joins ₹100 Crore Opening Day Club

Peddi has also achieved another significant milestone by entering the elite club of Telugu star-led films that crossed ₹100 crore gross worldwide on their opening day across all languages. With a massive ₹115 crore worldwide opening gross, the film has firmly established itself among the biggest openers in Telugu cinema.

RankFilmOpening Day Gross (Worldwide)
1Pushpa 2₹280 Cr
2RRR₹223 Cr
3Baahubali 2₹215 Cr
4Kalki 2898 AD₹170 Cr
5Salaar₹154 Cr
6Devara₹151 Cr
7OG₹142 Cr
8Adipurush₹125 Cr
9Saaho₹117 Cr
10Peddi₹115 Cr
11The Raja Saab₹103 Cr

The film’s emotional storytelling, Ram Charan’s powerful performance, and A.R. Rahman’s music have received praise from audiences, helping it generate strong momentum right from Day 1. The coming weekend will be crucial in determining how far Peddi can go at the box office, but its opening day numbers have already cemented its place among the industry’s biggest releases.