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Ram Charan Peddi Gets UA 16+: Runtime, Censor Changes

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Ram Charan Peddi Gets UA 16+: Runtime, Censor Changes

Ram Charan‘s highly anticipated rural sports drama Peddi has officially completed its censor formalities, with the board mandating several Peddi changes before clearance. Produced by Vriddhi Cinemas and backed by Kilaru Venkata Satish, the film recently received certification from the Hyderabad regional office of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

The Censor Board has awarded Peddi a ‘UA 16+’ certificate, meaning viewers below the age of 16 are advised to watch it under parental guidance. The biggest highlight is the film’s massive runtime—according to the censor certificate, Peddi clocks in at 189 minutes, translating to approximately 3 hours and 9 minutes of screen time.

Key Peddi Changes Mandated by Censor Board

The board raised objections to several dialogues and visuals in Peddi, following which the makers implemented multiple changes to secure clearance. Here’s what was modified:

CategoryOriginal ContentChange Applied
DialoguesAbusive words and phrasesMuted audio + subtitles removed
Song Lyrics“Saruku Saamaan” in ‘Chikiri’ songModified per board suggestion
Community ReferencesSpecific community mentions + “Rajasthan”Completely removed from film and subtitles
VisualsMiddle-finger gesture sceneCovered using CGI (scene retained)

Unlike many films that face runtime cuts during certification, Peddi retained its original 189-minute duration. The censor board passed the film without demanding any length reductions, despite the modifications to dialogue and visuals.

Sources close to the production say the makers are extremely confident about the story’s emotional depth and narrative strength, which is why they fought to retain the lengthy runtime. Similar to Ustaad Bhagat Singh's recent censor clearance, Peddi is banking on strong content to justify its extended theatrical experience.

With a 3-hour-plus runtime and growing curiosity around its rural sports backdrop, the key question now is whether Peddi can deliver an engaging theatrical experience throughout its epic duration. The film’s release is generating significant buzz, especially given Ram Charan‘s massive fan following and director Buchi Babu‘s reputation for strong storytelling.

Peddi North America Bookings not Speeding up

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Peddi North America Bookings not Speeding up

Ram Charan‘s highly anticipated Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, is currently witnessing a decent but not extraordinary trend in North America premiere bookings. While the advance sales are steady, the film is yet to show the explosive growth many trade analysts and fans were expecting.

Current Booking Status

With 12 days still left for release, Peddi has already crossed the $450K mark in North America premiere pre-sales. Trade circles believe the momentum is expected to improve in the coming days as promotions intensify and release day gets closer.

However, based on the current pace, entering the Top 5 biggest Telugu premiere grossers in North America looks difficult for Peddi at the moment. The film is presently projected to finish somewhere around the 8th position with premieres likely ending in the $2 million range.

Top 10 Telugu Premiere Grossers in North America

The North American market has become a crucial revenue stream for big-budget Telugu films, with premiere collections often serving as an early indicator of a film’s overall box office potential. Here’s how the current top performers stack up:

RankFilmPremiere Collection
1Kalki 2898 AD$3.9M
2RRR$3.5M
3Pushpa 2: The Rule$3.34M
4OG$3.13M
5Devara$2.85M
6Salaar$2.6M
7Baahubali 2: The Conclusion$2.45M
8Agnyaathavaasi$1.52M
9Guntur Kaaram$1.42M
10The Raja Saab$1.4M

The gap is significant when compared to recent blockbusters. OG dominated with over $3M in premieres, while Peddi currently projects to finish near the $2M mark, closer to films like The Raja Saab at the lower end of the top 10.

Trade Expectations and Outlook

For a film carrying massive expectations and a reported breakeven target of nearly $7.5 million in North America, the current trend is being viewed as slightly underwhelming by trade observers. The $450K pre-sales figure with 12 days remaining suggests a cautious start, though late surges are not uncommon in the Telugu market.

Still, with strong buzz around the film and enough time left before release, the coming days will be crucial in deciding how big Peddi can ultimately go at the overseas box office. Promotional campaigns and word-of-mouth from early screenings could significantly impact the final premiere numbers.

Rukmini Vasanth Takes Legal Action on AI-Generated Fake Images

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Rukmini Vasanth Takes Legal Action on AI-Generated Fake Images

Actress Rukmini Vasanth has taken strong legal action after fake AI-generated images falsely claiming to be from her first bikini shoot went viral on social media. The actress condemned the circulation of the manipulated photos and confirmed that cybercrime proceedings have been initiated.

The Fake AI-Generated Images

The controversial images spread rapidly across social media platforms, with many users initially believing them to be genuine. The AI-generated photos were falsely presented as Rukmini Vasanth’s first bikini shoot, misleading fans and the public.

Taking to social media, Rukmini clarified that the viral images are completely fake and fabricated using artificial intelligence. In her statement, she revealed that her team had discovered several manipulated images circulating online in her name.

Legal Action and Cybercrime Complaint

The actress condemned the act as a serious violation of privacy and called out the irresponsible misuse of AI technology. She confirmed that legal and cybercrime action is being initiated against those involved in creating and spreading the fake content.

Rukmini requested everyone to avoid sharing or engaging with such manipulated images on social media platforms, emphasizing the harm caused by the spread of AI-generated fake content.

Rising AI Abuse in Film Industry

Rukmini Vasanth is not alone in facing this issue. Incidents involving AI-generated and deepfake images are becoming increasingly common in the film industry, with several actresses facing similar problems due to the misuse of artificial intelligence.

Actress Rashmika Mandanna also recently slammed fake AI edits of her photos, highlighting the growing menace of digitally manipulated content targeting women in cinema.

While AI technology continues to grow rapidly, many are now raising concerns about digital privacy, online safety, and the need for stricter regulations and action against those misusing the technology for malicious purposes.

Karuppu Joins 200 Cr Club, Becomes Suriya’s First

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Karuppu Joins 200 Cr Club, Becomes Suriya’s First

Karuppu has officially entered the prestigious 200 Cr club, marking a massive milestone in Suriya’s career. This is the Tamil star’s first-ever film to cross the ₹200 Cr gross mark worldwide, cementing his position among the top-tier heroes of South Indian cinema.

Directed by RJ Balaji, the superhero mass entertainer has been performing exceptionally well since its release, delivering strong numbers across all major territories.

Pan-India Performance Drives Karuppu 200 Cr Milestone

The film’s success isn’t limited to Tamil Nadu alone. Karuppu is posting massive collections across Karnataka, the Telugu states (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana), Kerala, and overseas markets. The pan-India appeal of the superhero genre, combined with Suriya’s strong fan base, has helped the film achieve consistent footfalls even in non-Tamil markets.

The film’s performance in the Telugu states, where it released as Veerabhadrudu, has been particularly noteworthy, contributing significantly to the overall gross.

Path to 250 Cr and Beyond

With the 200 Cr milestone now achieved, industry trackers believe Karuppu will comfortably reach the ₹250 Cr benchmark. The real question now is whether the film can get close to the ₹300 Cr mark or even surpass it.

MilestoneStatus
₹200 Cr GrossAchieved ✓
₹250 Cr GrossExpected
₹300 Cr GrossPossible

With no major competition in the immediate weeks ahead, the film is expected to maintain its stronghold at the box office. The lack of big releases in the Tamil and Telugu markets gives Karuppu a clear run to maximize its theatrical potential.

Career-Defining Success for Suriya

Suriya fans are celebrating this historic achievement, as the actor finally breaks into the 200 Cr club after decades in the industry. Known for critically acclaimed performances in films like Jai Bhim, Soorarai Pottru, and the Singam franchise, Suriya had been one of the few top Tamil stars yet to achieve this box office milestone.

Karuppu not only establishes Suriya as a bankable mass hero but also proves that content-driven commercial entertainers can work across linguistic barriers when executed well. The film’s success is expected to open doors for bigger budgets and wider releases for the actor’s upcoming projects.

Drishyam 3 Set To Cross 100 Cr in 3 Days; Creates Day 2 Record

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Drishyam 3 Set To Cross 100 Cr in 3 Days; Creates Day 2 Record

Mohanlal‘s Drishyam 3 is having a sensational run at the box office and is racing to cross the ₹100 Cr gross mark in just 3 days. The third installment is getting a superb response from the home crowd and audiences across territories.

Record-Breaking Day 2 in Kerala

Despite mixed word-of-mouth, Drishyam 3 is performing exceptionally well in Malayalam circuits. On Day 2, the film collected ₹9 Cr in Kerala alone and created an all-time record—the biggest second day for any film in Kerala history.

This milestone underscores the massive pull Mohanlal and the Drishyam franchise continue to have with audiences.

Racing to 100 Cr in 3 Days

The film is performing exceptionally well across all territories and has crossed ₹75 Cr in just 2 days, with Kerala contributing ₹20 Cr. Day 3 advance bookings are tracking even better than Day 2, putting Drishyam 3 on course to surpass the ₹100 Cr milestone today.

MilestoneCollectionTimeframe
2-Day Total₹75 Cr2 Days
Kerala Share (2 days)₹20 Cr2 Days
Kerala Day 2₹9 CrDay 2 (All-Time Record)

This will make it the 2nd fastest Mollywood film to cross ₹100 Cr after Empuraan, which achieved the feat in 2 days, while Drishyam 3 is set to reach it in 3 days. By comparison, Drishyam 2 took 4 days to cross ₹100 Cr.

Targeting 200 Cr+ Full Run

At this pace, Drishyam 3 will comfortably cross the ₹200 Cr mark in its full theatrical run. How far it ultimately goes will depend on weekday hold after this 4-day extended weekend. The upcoming Bakrid holiday season is also a big advantage for the film’s continued momentum.

Swayambhu VFX: 2700 Shots, 750+ Artists Work On Scale

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Swayambhu VFX: 2700 Shots, 750+ Artists Work On Scale

Nikhil Siddhartha’s ambitious Pan-India film Swayambhu is currently in intensive VFX post-production, with the team working on over 2700 visual effects shots. More than 750 technicians are contributing to the project under the direction of Bharat Krishnamachari and backing from Pixel Studios.

Hands-On Supervision at Phantom FX

Actor Nikhil, director Bharat Krishnamachari, and acclaimed cinematographer KK Senthil Kumar are personally overseeing the Swayambhu VFX work at Phantom FX studios. The trio is ensuring top-notch quality for every frame of this period actioner, which aims for a grand Pan-India theatrical release.

With 2700 VFX shots, Swayambhu ranks among the most VFX-intensive Telugu films in recent years. The scale reflects the makers’ ambition to deliver a visually spectacular experience comparable to big-budget period dramas.

Strong Response to Promotional Material

The film’s teaser and first single "Ra Ra Dheevara" have already received tremendous audience response. Composed by KGF fame Ravi Basrur, the energetic track showcased Nikhil’s fierce warrior avatar and set high expectations for the project.

Swayambhu stars Samyuktha and Nabha Natesh alongside Nikhil in lead roles. The film is being shot by KK Senthil Kumar, the cinematographer behind the Baahubali franchise, adding strong technical credentials to the project.

Trade Hopes for Pan-India Success

Trade circles are hopeful that Swayambhu will replicate Nikhil’s earlier success Karthikeya 2, which emerged as a surprise hit in North India. The pan-India release strategy banks on the film’s universal appeal and high production values.

Chand Mera Dil Review: Decent Romance, Emotional Highs

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Chand Mera Dil Review: Decent Romance, Emotional Highs
Movie Name Chand Mera Dil
Rating 2.75/5
Cast Ananya Panday, Lakshya, Aastha Singh, Pratham Rathod, Aashish Dubey, and Ankur Poddar
Director Vivek Soni
Produced By Dharma Productions
Release Date 22nd May, 2026

Directed by Vivek Soni and starring Ananya Panday and Lakshya, Chand Mera Dil is a romantic drama produced by Karan Johar on Dharma Productions. The Chand Mera Dil review follows. The film had a relatively low pre-release buzz. Let us find out whether the film’s content lifts the hype.

Story

At the start, it’s shown that Chandni (Ananya Panday) and Aarav (Lakshya), who were once together, are now separated. Aarav returns from the US to his Hyderabad college for an alumni meet, where he first fell for Chandni. The story flashes back to show how they grew close and faced relationship issues.

Performances

Lakshya, who impressed everyone with his performances in Kill and The Bads of Bollywood, delivers a convincing performance in the character of Aarav and displays the aggressive and vulnerable sides of it perfectly. Ananya Panday is also good as Chandni, and she does really well in some emotional scenes. The supporting cast was decent.

Analysis

Chand Mera Dil, directed and penned by Vivek Soni, seems like a usual romance but explores contemporary relationship issues.

The opening scenes of the film feel quite ordinary, as the love story between the main characters doesn’t really hit the mark. The songs add a certain vibe, and the film truly finds its groove when the lovebirds encounter their first challenge.

The drama unfolds perfectly in the hospital and proposal scenes, capturing the tough times that hit the lead pair once their child enters the world. The interval episode is heartfelt.

The second half continues the mood with the intense and dramatic scenes between the lead pair, which lead to their separation, but soon, the screenplay steps into the redundant phase. A few emotional scenes between the Hero and Heroine work well, while a few give a stretched feel. There are moments that feel unnecessary, for example, the Hero being knocked down by some guys.

The climax works well, and the performances suit the scene despite potential for more impact. Similar to other recent romantic dramas like Couple-Friendly, this film balances emotional highs with relationship conflicts.

Positives

  • Lead Pair’s Performance
  • Emotional Scenes
  • Music

Negatives

  • College Flashback Could Have Been Better
  • Stretched Scenes in the Second Half
  • Rushed Feel in a Few Places

Chand Mera Dil Review – Final Verdict

Chand Mera Dil offers a sincere look at modern relationships. Lakshya and Ananya Panday‘s performances, along with the music and emotional moments, work well for the film, making it a decent watch despite some dragged-out and repetitive scenes that affect the experience.

Purushaha Review: Works Only in Parts

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Purushaha Review: Works Only in Parts
Movie Name Purushaha
Rating 2.25/5
Cast Pavan Kalyan battula, Saptagiri, Vennela Kishore, Kasireddy Raj Kumar, Rayancha Kokkura, Vishika, Hasini Sudheer, Sri Sandhya, Gabi Rock, Anaira Gupta, Rajeev Kanakala, Pammi Sai
Director Veeru Vulavala
Produced By Kalyan Productions
Release Date 22nd May, 2026

Purushaha, starring Battula Pawan Kalyan in his debut, has hit theatres today. This Purushaha review explores how director Veeru Ulavala attempts to blend family emotions, friendship, romance, and comedy into an emotional entertainer. Produced by Battula Koteswara Rao, the film tackles the relatable theme of marital conflicts but struggles to deliver consistent emotional impact.

Purushaha Story

The story revolves around Govind, played by Battula Pawan Kalyan, along with his childhood friends Sattibabu (Sapthagiri) and Srinu (Kasireddy Rajkumar). Even after marriage, the trio maintains a strong friendship. However, problems begin to arise in their personal married lives.

Several misunderstandings and emotional issues create distance in their relationships, eventually pushing all three friends towards divorce courts amid dramatic situations. The premise is relatable—married couples facing conflicts is a universal theme that resonates across audiences.

Performances

Battula Pawan Kalyan performs decently in his debut film, showing promise in emotional scenes. Rayancha Kokkura makes her presence felt with glamor and acting, while Vishika and Hasini Sudheer deliver decent performances in their respective roles.

The comedy trio of Sapthagiri, Kasireddy Rajkumar, and Vennela Kishore spread some good laughs throughout. Rajkumar, who recently appeared in Godari Gattupaina, showcases solid comic timing. Rajiv Kanakala, VTV Ganesh, Ananth Sriram, Pammi Sai, Mirchi Kiran, and others were alright in their supporting roles.

Analysis

Veeru Ulavala directs Purushaha with a relatable storyline of conflicts between married couples. No matter how many films explore this theme, it remains relevant to audiences. The director extracts some impressive scenes between Govind and his wife, while the comedy track featuring Vennela Kishore, Sapthagiri, and Kasireddy Rajkumar generates decent laughs.

The film’s core strength lies in its relatability. Marital misunderstandings, communication gaps, and friendship dynamics are themes that connect with viewers. A few crucial dialogues about relationships land well and offer moments of genuine emotion.

However, despite the relatable premise, the film fails to present the required emotional depth in characters and proceedings. The screenplay doesn’t allow audiences to invest deeply in the protagonists’ journeys. While the first half emerges as passable with adequate entertainment, the second half suffers from sluggish pacing and fails to engage properly.

The climax attempts to deliver an emotional message about relationships, but it doesn’t provide the intended impact due to weak dramatic buildup. The film needed tighter writing and more nuanced character development to truly resonate.

Positives

  • Relatable Storyline
  • Comedy Scenes Work Well
  • A Few Crucial Dialogues About Relationships
  • Decent Debut Performance

Negatives

  • Weak Screenplay
  • Lacks Emotional Depth
  • Sluggish Second Half
  • Predictable Narrative

Purushaha Review – Final Verdict

Purushaha, despite being made with a relatable storyline, only works in parts. While some comedy scenes and crucial emotional moments shine, the sluggish narration and lack of a strong, engaging screenplay limit it to a below-average watch. Battula Pawan Kalyan shows promise in his debut, but the film needed tighter execution to do justice to its premise.

Gaayapadda Simham OTT Release: Prime Video Streams New Films

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Gaayapadda Simham OTT Release: Prime Video Streams New Films

The comedy entertainer Gaayapadda Simham, which failed at the box office, has now arrived on OTT along with Sathi Leelavathi, Memu Copulam, and System.

Gaayapadda Simham Now Streaming on Prime Video

Gaayapadda Simham stars Tharun Bhascker, Faria Abdullah, Vishnu Oi, JD Chakravarthy, and Sree Vishnu in an extended cameo. The comedy film, which underperformed during its theatrical run, is now available for streaming on Prime Video in Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam languages.

Directed by Tharun Bhascker, the film attempted to blend humor with social commentary but failed to connect with audiences in theaters.

Memu Copulam Web Series on ZEE5

ZEE5 is now streaming the Telugu original series Memu Copulam, produced by B. V. S. Ravi and Kaumudi K. Nemani under RAW Entertainments, in association with Pradeep Maddali Creative.

The series is directed by Pradeep Maddali, known for Vikkatakavi. Nagababu plays a key role in this Telugu web series, which explores the lives and struggles of common people.

Sathi Leelavathi and System Also Available

Lavanya Tripathi‘s Sathi Leelavathi arrived in theatres earlier this month and is now available for streaming on Prime Video in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.

Additionally, Sonakshi Sinha and Jyotika‘s System (Hindi web series) is now streaming on Prime Video, with Telugu and Tamil audio options also available for South Indian viewers.

Multiple OTT Options This Weekend

Besides Gaayapadda Simham, OTT viewers have multiple entertainment options this weekend across Prime Video and ZEE5. For more Telugu OTT releases this weekend, check the complete streaming lineup.

The weekend lineup offers a mix of comedy, drama, and thriller content across multiple South Indian languages.

Karuppu First Week Box Office: ₹185 Cr Worldwide

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Karuppu First Week Box Office: ₹185 Cr Worldwide

Suriya‘s Karuppu has concluded its first week on a high note, collecting around ₹185 Cr gross at the worldwide box office. The film has had an excellent run in theatres, with trade circles closely tracking its performance.

Karuppu First Week Collections Breakdown

According to trade numbers, the all India tracked gross for Karuppu stands at ₹116 Cr for the first week. However, actual collections are estimated to be over ₹130 Cr when including all circuits. This takes the worldwide gross to approximately ₹185 Cr.

CategoryFirst Week Collection
All India (Tracked Gross)₹116 Cr
All India (Actual Gross)₹130+ Cr
Worldwide Gross₹185 Cr

The gap between tracked and actual figures is standard in box office reporting. Tracked numbers represent verifiable data from major circuits, while actuals include estimates from smaller territories.

50% Higher Than Singam 2

Interestingly, the Karuppu first week collections are 50% higher than Singam 2, which was Suriya‘s previous career-best grosser. This demonstrates how massive the opening week has been for the film.

The comparison with Singam 2 provides important context. That film was a major commercial success and held the record as Suriya‘s highest grosser. Karuppu surpassing it by such a significant margin in week one alone shows the film’s strong box office pull.

Focus Shifts to Second Weekend

With a solid first week in place, trade attention is now turning to the second weekend. The film’s hold during this crucial period will determine its path toward bigger milestones.

The second weekend performance will also indicate whether Karuppu has the legs to sustain its box office run over the coming weeks.

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