Hey guys, I just watched Peddi, and here are my thoughts on the film.
The basic story revolves around Peddi, a man from a remote village in Andhra Pradesh where trains do not stop. The film follows his journey and the lengths he goes to in order to bring a railway stop to his village.
Positives
The biggest strength of the film is undoubtedly Ram Charan’s performance. His screen presence carries the movie, and many of the high moments work because of him. During the first half, I was constantly waiting for his scenes because those were the moments that truly engaged me.
Another major positive is A.R. Rahman’s background score. The music elevates several scenes, and some of the bit songs are quite effective. A song sung by S.P. Charan near the climax particularly stood out and became one of my favorite moments in the film.
The movie also has a few impactful dialogues and emotional moments. One scene involving a migrant worker gifting a slate to his daughter was especially touching. The cricket sequences in the first half are enjoyable, and Jagapathi Babu’s makeover and appearance also worked well.
Negatives
The film’s biggest issue is its length. At over three hours, the story simply does not justify such a long runtime. Many scenes feel stretched and could have been trimmed.
The visual effects and production design often look artificial. Despite being a big-budget film, the village setting never feels authentic. The world-building lacks realism, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in the story.
Janhvi Kapoor’s character is poorly written and heavily objectified. Some scenes involving the lead pair feel outdated, and certain moments may not sit well with modern audiences.
The dubbing is another weak point. Lip-sync issues are noticeable throughout the film, and several actors struggle to fit naturally into the regional setting. As a result, some emotional scenes fail to create the intended impact.
There are also songs and sequences that feel unnecessary. An item song in the second half appears without much purpose, while certain action scenes look unrealistic and overly exaggerated.
The screenplay feels old-fashioned, relying heavily on flashbacks and storytelling devices that have been overused in commercial cinema. Some emotional intercuts in the second half become repetitive and even irritating after a point.
Although Rahman’s score is generally good, there are moments where the music feels out of sync with what’s happening on screen. The cinematography also didn’t impress me as much as expected.
Some training sequences in the second half feel very familiar and seem inspired by films we’ve already seen before. The villain portions are weak, and several developments happen so quickly that they feel rushed and illogical.
Finally
Peddi has its share of highs, mainly because of Ram Charan’s performance, a few emotional moments, and A.R. Rahman’s music. However, the film suffers from excessive length, outdated storytelling, weak visual effects, and inconsistent execution.
I expected something extraordinary from Buchi Babu, Ram Charan, Rathnavelu, Mythri Movie Makers, and the creative team behind the film. Unfortunately, the final product did not completely meet those expectations.
That said, if you’re a Ram Charan fan, there are enough moments to keep you entertained. But don’t expect a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Rating: 2.5/5
