Overview
- Released on June 4, the Ram Charan film Peddi won praise for its lead performance and action sequences while drawing sharp criticism for close-up camera work, revealing costumes and a kissing scene viewers described as non-consensual.
- Director Buchi Babu Sana publicly apologised and said the makers will cut or re-edit the contested portions, and he acknowledged the trailer was poorly cut and concentrated too many elements into single moments.
- Trade trackers and media reports show the film remains a commercial success, with India nett collections reported above ₹200 crore and higher global grosses cited by some outlets.
- At a success meet, lyricist Anantha Sriram rejected the director's apology as a blow to creative freedom, highlighting a split in industry responses between defending artistic licence and calling for responsible depiction.
- Filmmakers and commentators say the dispute underlines how social media reaction and online review clips now shape word-of-mouth and could change how mainstream films handle consent and the portrayal of female characters.