The director imagined Janhvi in every narration of the script
As the calendar turns toward June, a major Indian sports drama completes its final institutional passage — the censor board's approval — and steps into the light of public anticipation. Peddi, starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor under director Buchi Babu Sana's vision, received its U/A 16+ certification after modest modifications, a ritual that reminds us how art must always negotiate with the structures of society before it can speak freely to an audience. The film's three-hour-plus runtime and ensemble cast suggest a story told with ambition, and its June 4 release will determine whether that ambition finds its reward.
- Peddi cleared its final regulatory hurdle when the CBFC issued a U/A 16+ certificate on May 22, requiring parental guidance for viewers under 16.
- The board mandated several modifications — a reference to Rajasthan removed, a community reference deleted, six words muted, and a middle-finger gesture digitally obscured — before granting approval.
- Behind the camera, a quietly awkward casting pivot unfolded: director Buchi Babu Sana first approached Khushi Kapoor, then realised she was too young and had to pitch the same role to her elder sister Janhvi in the family home.
- Sana's conviction held — he kept imagining Janhvi as Achiyamma during script narrations, and that instinct ultimately shaped the film's central performance.
- With a 189-minute runtime locked, a heavyweight ensemble including Shiva Rajkumar, Boman Irani, and Jagapathi Babu assembled, and trailer momentum building from a Mumbai event, Peddi is now positioned for its worldwide June 4 release.
Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor's sports drama Peddi has cleared the Central Board of Film Certification, receiving a U/A 16+ certificate on May 22 — the final regulatory step before its worldwide theatrical release on June 4. The rating means viewers under 16 will require parental guidance, a classification that leaves the film's audience largely unrestricted.
The certification did not come without conditions. Reviewers required the removal of a reference to Rajasthan and a mention of a specific community, the muting or alteration of six words in the dialogue, and the digital obscuring of a middle-finger gesture using computer graphics. Once those changes were implemented, the film's runtime settled at three hours and nine minutes — a length that signals the scope director Buchi Babu Sana has brought to the genre.
The casting of Janhvi Kapoor in the female lead role as Achiyamma has its own quiet drama. Sana originally approached Khushi Kapoor for the part, but upon meeting her realised she was too young for the character. He then found himself in the delicate position of pitching the same role to Janhvi — Khushi's elder sister — in the family home. What guided him was a persistent creative instinct: every time he narrated the script, he found himself picturing Janhvi in the role. That conviction settled the matter, though Sana admitted to wondering whether Khushi had felt slighted by the turn of events.
The film's ensemble is considerable, with Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Boman Irani, and Divyenndu in supporting roles. Produced by Vriddhi Cinemas and IVY Entertainment, Peddi has built steady anticipation through its production, with a recent trailer launch in Mumbai adding further momentum ahead of its June debut.
Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor's sports drama Peddi has cleared the censor board. On May 22, the Central Board of Film Certification issued a U/A 16+ certificate for the film, which means viewers under 16 will need parental guidance. The movie, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, is set to arrive in theaters worldwide on June 4, and the censor approval marks the final regulatory hurdle before release.
The certification came with conditions. The board's review identified content requiring modification: a geographical reference to Rajasthan was removed entirely, along with a reference to a specific community. Six words were muted or altered in the dialogue. In one scene, a gesture involving a middle finger was digitally obscured using computer graphics. After these changes were implemented, the film's final runtime settled at three hours and nine minutes—a substantial length that reflects the scope of this sports drama.
The casting of Janhvi Kapoor in the female lead role as Achiyamma carries its own backstory. Director Buchi Babu Sana initially approached Khushi Kapoor, Janhvi's younger sister, to play the character. During a conversation with a media outlet, Sana explained that when he met Khushi in person, he recognized she was too young for the part. The director then faced the awkward task of pitching the same role to Janhvi in the family home. When narrating the script to others, Sana found himself consistently imagining Janhvi in the role—a conviction that ultimately guided his casting decision. He even wondered aloud whether Khushi had taken offense at being passed over.
The ensemble supporting the two leads is substantial. Shiva Rajkumar plays Gournaidu, while veteran actor Jagapathi Babu takes on the role of Appalasoori. Boman Irani and Divyenndu round out the cast. The film is produced by Vriddhi Cinemas and IVY Entertainment, with Sana directing. The project has generated considerable anticipation throughout its production, and the recent unveiling of the official trailer at a major event in Mumbai intensified that momentum.
With censor approval secured and the runtime locked in, Peddi is now positioned for its June 4 release. The film represents a significant investment in the sports drama genre, and the regulatory process—while requiring modifications—did not result in a rating that would severely restrict its audience. The three-hour-plus runtime suggests an ambitious narrative scope, and the casting of two major stars indicates the producers' confidence in the project's commercial potential.
Notable Quotes
Once I saw her in person, I realised that she's too young for this character— Director Buchi Babu Sana, on why he rejected Khushi Kapoor for the role
I could only imagine Janhvi playing the role whenever I narrated the script to others— Director Buchi Babu Sana, on his casting conviction
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why did the censor board require so many specific cuts? Was there something controversial in the script?
The board flagged a geographical reference and a community reference—things that can be sensitive in Indian cinema. The muted words and the digitally covered gesture suggest the filmmakers had included content that, while not outright banned, needed softening for a U/A rating.
Three hours and nine minutes is quite long. Does that feel like a sports drama, or is there something else going on in the story?
That length suggests the film isn't just about the sport itself. There's likely character development, backstory, relationships—the full texture of someone's life. Sports dramas often use the game as a frame for something deeper.
The director initially wanted Khushi Kapoor but cast Janhvi instead. What does that tell us about the role?
It tells us Achiyamma is a mature character, someone with weight and experience. Khushi is known for lighter, younger roles. Janhvi has shown she can carry complex, layered characters. The director saw something in her that matched what the script demanded.
Is the U/A 16+ rating restrictive for a sports film?
Not really. It means younger teens can watch with a parent, but it doesn't exclude the core audience. For a three-hour drama with some mature content, it's a reasonable middle ground. It's not an A certificate, which would cut off the entire under-18 market.
What's the significance of releasing this on June 4?
That's a strategic date—post-summer holidays, when families and young adults are looking for theatrical experiences. A sports drama with two major stars and a substantial runtime is exactly the kind of film that benefits from a big-screen release.