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Janhvi Kapoor Peddi Role: Backlash Over Character

Aditya
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Janhvi Kapoor Peddi Role: Backlash Over Character

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camera focuses on her body while dialogue mentions facial features, along with problematic sequences that reinforced outdated portrayals of women.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

Aditya
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Peddi Day 2 Box Office: Ram Charan Film Holds Strong

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

Aditya
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Varanasi: Mythological Rama-Kumbhakarna Conflict Revealed

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

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

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

Aditya
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Dhootha Second Season Begins: Naga Chaitanya Returns

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

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

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.

Peddi Day 1 Box Office: ₹73 Cr Opening, 1/3rd Recovery

Aditya
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Peddi Day 1 Box Office: ₹73 Cr Opening, 1/3rd Recovery

Peddi opening good at the box office as Ram Charan’s latest rural sports drama collects a massive ₹73 Cr share worldwide on its first day. The film has achieved 1/3rd recovery against its total breakeven target of ₹165 Cr, marking a strong start in Telugu states and select overseas markets.

The Ram Charan starrer performed exceptionally well in the Telugu states, particularly in Nizam and Ceded circuits, contributing over ₹54 Cr to the total collections.

Peddi Day 1 Collections – Territory Breakdown

The film’s opening day performance across territories shows strong dominance in home markets:

TerritoryShare (₹ Cr)
Nizam18.20
Ceeded7.70
Uttarandhra (UA)7.03
Guntur6.50
East Godavari5.15
West Godavari3.85
Krishna3.70
Nellore2.20
AP/Telangana Total54.33
Rest of India (ROI)4.75
Overseas11.25

Worldwide Total Share

The Telugu version of Peddi collected ₹70.83 Cr share on day 1, while other language versions contributed around ₹2 Cr, taking the worldwide total to approximately ₹73 Cr share.

Performance Analysis

In Karnataka, the film performed well, indicating good acceptance in the neighboring state. However, the opening was poor in other language markets and below par in overseas territories compared to recent big-budget Telugu releases.

The Ustaad Bhagat Singh day 1 collections earlier this year collected ₹31.7 Cr worldwide share, showing Peddi’s stronger opening among recent mass entertainers.

Day 2 and Weekend Outlook

The second day has seen a decent hold for Peddi after the good opening. The film needs to show solid jumps on Saturday and Sunday to get close to its breakeven target and sustain momentum through the first week.

Dhurandhar to Dacoit — 5 OTT Films You Can’t Miss

Surya Sankella
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Dhurandhar to Dacoit — 5 OTT Films You Can’t Miss

Who doesn’t love streaming a solid film from the comfort of home? Especially after a long and tiring work week, sinking into the couch with a good movie truly feels like a breath of fresh air. This week’s OTT lineup is headlined by Ranveer Singh‘s blockbuster Dhurandhar: The Revenge, alongside powerful releases like KD: The Devil and Dacoit: A Love Story. From action and romance to crime thrillers and feel-good entertainers across multiple languages, here are the top films to stream this week.

1. Office Romance

If you’re in the mood for something light-hearted and breezy, Office Romance might just be the perfect weekend watch. Set against the backdrop of a chaotic corporate workspace, the film follows two ambitious professionals whose secret relationship slowly spirals into hilarious complications. Packed with witty banter, awkward encounters, and charming chemistry, this romantic comedy promises an easy and entertaining watch.

Streaming on Netflix from 5th June 2026.

2. Brown

Karisma Kapoor headlines this gritty crime thriller that dives deep into the dark corners of a city haunted by secrets and murders. Based on Abheek Barua’s novel City of Death, Brown follows a troubled investigator battling personal trauma while trying to solve a disturbing case. Atmospheric, intense, and psychologically layered, the series has already generated strong buzz among thriller fans.

Streaming on ZEE5 from 5th June 2026 (Hindi).

3. KD: The Devil

One of the biggest South Indian action spectacles of the year, KD: The Devil is finally making its way to OTT. Directed by Prem, the film stars Dhruva Sarja in a rugged action-packed avatar alongside heavyweights like Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, and Kichcha Sudeepa. Set in the dangerous world of gangsters and crime syndicates, the story follows Kali Dasa — a carefree youngster whose life takes a violent turn after getting entangled in the underworld. With mass elevations, stylish action blocks, and powerful screen presence, this one is tailor-made for fans of larger-than-life cinema.

Streaming on ZEE5 from 5th June 2026 (Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi).

4. Dacoit: A Love Story

Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur come together for this intense romantic action thriller that blends love, betrayal, and revenge into one gripping narrative. Directed by Shaneil Deo, Dacoit: A Love Story revolves around two former lovers who unexpectedly cross paths during a dangerous mission, forcing them to confront unresolved emotions and painful memories. Stylishly mounted and emotionally charged, the film promises both action and depth in equal measure.

Streaming on Prime Video from 8th May 2026 (Telugu, Hindi).

5. Dhurandhar: The Revenge

The much-anticipated film directed by Aditya Dhar is undoubtedly the hottest arrival of the week. A humongous box-office success, this Ranveer Singh starrer received praise from some of Indian cinema’s biggest names including S. S. Rajamouli and Rajinikanth.

The story follows Hamza, a fearless covert operative who finds himself trapped in a dangerous international conspiracy that threatens national security. As betrayals unfold and enemies close in from every side, Hamza must navigate a brutal world of espionage, deception, and high-stakes warfare. Backed by adrenaline-pumping action sequences, emotional intensity, and Ranveer Singh‘s electrifying performance, Dhurandhar: The Revenge delivers a complete big-screen experience right at home.

Streaming on JioHotstar from 4th June 2026 (Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam).

Other Notable Releases

TitlePlatformRelease DateLanguage
Maa BehenNetflix4th June 2026Hindi
PatriotZEE55th June 2026Malayalam
The Pyramid SchemePrime Video5th June 2026Hindi

KVN Productions to Refund Jana Nayagan Distributors

Aditya
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KVN Productions to Refund Jana Nayagan Distributors

Vijay‘s much-delayed final film, Jana Nayagan, has hit another roadblock. KVN Productions, the production house behind the project, has now decided to refund the film’s distributors and release the movie independently once all legal and certification hurdles are cleared.

Ongoing Crisis Since January 2026

The release of Jana Nayagan has been stalled since January 2026 due to multiple issues spanning production, distribution, and censor certification. Despite expectations that the film would release in May or June after Vijay took oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on May 10, 2026, the hurdles remain unresolved.

In this challenging situation, KVN Productions is now planning to refund all distributor advances and take complete control of the film’s release strategy. Reportedly, Thalapathy Vijay himself has instructed the production house to proceed with the refunds to avoid further complications.

KVN Productions’ Financial Strain

This decision marks another setback for KVN Productions, which has faced mounting financial pressure in recent months. The production house has nearly ₹1000 Cr locked in delayed projects, including Jana Nayagan, Yash‘s Toxic, and KD – The Devil.

The production crisis deepened when Toxic also had to vacate its March 19 release slot. Earlier, UK-based distributors Ahimsa and Boleyn had to refund nearly ₹8 Cr in advance bookings when Jana Nayagan missed its scheduled January 2026 release. The film also faced a major leak from post-production, further complicating matters for KVN Productions.

Uncertain Road Ahead

With KVN Productions now opting for self-distribution, the film’s release timeline remains unclear. The production house will need to clear all pending legal matters and obtain censor board approval before announcing a new release date.

For Vijay, who has transitioned from cinema to full-time politics as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister, Jana Nayagan represents his final on-screen appearance. The film’s prolonged delay has left fans and the industry waiting for closure to his illustrious film career.

Ram Charan’s Peddi Second-Biggest Opening: ₹120 Cr Est

Aditya
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Ram Charan’s Peddi Second-Biggest Opening: ₹120 Cr Est

Peddi registers the second-biggest opening of Ram Charan’s career after RRR and his biggest opening as a solo lead. The film has recorded the biggest opening of the year with worldwide gross estimates of around ₹120 Cr, including paid premieres.

Opening Day Box Office Breakdown

MetricCollection
Day 1 Worldwide Gross₹120 Cr (approx)
Breakeven Target₹500 Cr
Opening Day Recovery25%

The film has opened well in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and the Rest of India for the Telugu version. However, the openings in other language versions have not been notable.

The Hindi version has opened lower than Game Changer, which is surprising and could have a significant impact on the film’s overall box office performance. Overseas, too, the film has not opened at the expected level and has posted an average start.

Overall, even though Peddi scored the second-biggest opening for Ram Charan, it is a decent opening, but the film needs strong momentum over the weekend, considering its theatrical rights were sold at very high prices.

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