Peddi

PEDDI (2026)

Summary:

Peddi (originally known as RC16) is an upcoming Indian Telugu-language period sports action drama film written and directed by Buchi Babu Sana (Uppena). Jointly produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under Vriddhi Cinemas and co-produced by Ishan Saksena under IVY Entertainment, the film is presented by the blockbuster banner Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings. Starring Ram Charan in the titular role of a fierce, traditional pehelwan (wrestler), the film features an exceptional ensemble cast including Janhvi Kapoor, Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, and Divyenndu. Set in the rustic, dust-laden coastal villages of 1980s Andhra Pradesh, the film is a sweeping emotional saga that explores the intersection of community pride, traditional sports, and a rebellion against oppressive feudal forces. With a soul-stirring soundtrack composed by the legendary A. R. Rahman and exquisite period visuals captured by cinematographer R. Rathnavelu, Peddi promises to be an epic, emotionally grounding cinematic experience. Keywords: Peddi Ram Charan Movie, RC16 Title Peddi, Janhvi Kapoor Telugu Movie, Shiva Rajkumar Gournaidu, A. R. Rahman Music, Buchi Babu Sana Sports Drama.

Plot:

The story of Peddi is set against the sprawling, vibrant, and deeply traditional backdrop of the 1980s in rural coastal Andhra Pradesh, specifically around the rugged, red-soiled landscape of the Vizianagaram region. In this era, honor, lineage, and physical prowess are deeply intertwined with the soil, and the local sports arena is the heart of community life. We are introduced to Peddi Pehelwan (Ram Charan), a formidable, raw, and highly disciplined traditional mud wrestler who carries the pride of his village on his broad shoulders. Peddi is not merely an athlete; he is a man of the soil, characterized by his fierce loyalty to his roots and an unwavering moral compass. He has spent his entire youth training in the local akhada (wrestling pit) under the watchful eyes of his elders, learning that wrestling is not about conquering an opponent, but about mastering one's own ego and defending the helpless.

Peddi’s peaceful, disciplined life of physical dedication and simple joys is beautifully contrasted by his blooming romance with Achiyamma (Janhvi Kapoor), a spirited, independent, and graceful local woman who represents the gentle soul of the countryside. Their courtship is framed by the nostalgic hues of the 1980s—village fairs, bullock cart rides, and stolen glances near the ancient temple steps. However, this idyllic existence is constantly threatened by the shadow of Appalasoori (Jagapathi Babu), a ruthless, tyrannical feudal lord who rules the region with an iron fist. Appalasoori views the villagers not as people, but as resources to be exploited, systematically seizing their ancestral lands and dismantling their traditional way of life to build his industrial empire. He uses a combination of financial debt, local thugs, and absolute political impunity to keep the population in state of perpetual fear.

The conflict reaches a boiling point when Appalasoori targets the village’s sacred common grounds, including the historic akhada, to construct a massive steel factory, a move that would effectively erase the cultural identity of the community. Peddi realizes that traditional petitions and peaceful protests are useless against a man who owns the local law enforcement. Taking inspiration from the ancient warrior traditions of his ancestors, Peddi decides to use the medium the villagers understand best—sports—to ignite a revolution. He envisions a grand, regional tournament that unites the fractured local clans, proposing a high-stakes challenge: if the villagers win, Appalasoori must return the seized land and leave the valley. If they lose, they surrender their claims forever.

To prepare his ragtag team of village youths for this seemingly impossible battle, Peddi seeks the guidance of Gournaidu (Shiva Rajkumar), a legendary, battle-hardened former champion who lives a life of self-imposed exile. Gournaidu is a man scarred by his own past betrayals, possessing a deep knowledge of both traditional wrestling and modern team sports. Initially skeptical of Peddi's ambitious plans, Gournaidu is eventually won over by the young wrestler's absolute sincerity, selflessness, and raw talent. Together, they transform the village youth into a formidable athletic unit, combining the grit of traditional mud wrestling with the strategic coordination of team sports, creating a unique hybrid discipline designed to exploit the physical weaknesses of Appalasoori’s highly paid, professional mercenaries.

The narrative shifts gears into an intense, high-octane sports thriller as the tournament begins. The matches are not just tests of physical endurance, but high-stakes tactical battles where every move has life-or-death consequences for the village. Appalasoori, realizing the danger Peddi’s movement poses to his authority, resorts to extreme sabotage. He hires foreign fighters, manipulates the rules, and orchestrates violent attacks on Peddi's family, including his close confidant Rambujji (Divyenndu), who provides critical emotional and strategic support during the darkest hours of the campaign. The film masterfully balances these brutal external challenges with Peddi’s internal transformation, showing a man who must channel his explosive physical power into cool, calculated leadership to keep his community from fracturing under the immense pressure.

The emotional core of the film culminates in a grand, spectacular climax set in a massive, rain-drenched arena built on the very soil of the disputed akhada. In a sequence that combines visceral hand-to-hand combat, raw emotional stakes, and breathtaking choreography, Peddi must face his ultimate opponent in a brutal, decisive wrestling match. The sequence is a masterclass in tension, highlighting the physical toll of Peddi’s journey as he fights through a severe shoulder injury to secure his people’s freedom. In a powerful final act of defiance, Peddi uses his opponent’s own momentum against him, securing a dramatic victory that triggers a massive, celebratory uprising among the thousands of spectators. The film concludes on an inspiring, triumphant note: the land is saved, the ancestral heritage is restored, and Peddi stands not as a conqueror, but as a humble guardian of his people, proving that true strength lies in the heart's connection to its roots.

Cast:

• Ram Charan as Peddi Pehelwan (The traditional mud wrestler)

• Janhvi Kapoor as Achiyamma (Peddi's love interest)

• Shiva Rajkumar as Gournaidu (The legendary mentor/veteran champion)

• Jagapathi Babu as Appalasoori (The primary antagonist/feudal lord)

• Divyenndu as Rambujji (Peddi's trusted ally)

• Boman Irani

• Ravi Kishan

• Viji Chandrasekhar

• Rajatava Dutta

• Satya

• John Vijay

• Ajay Ghosh

• Hareesh Peradi

• Upendra Limaye

• Aadukalam Naren

• Tarak Ponnappa

• Mahesh Achanta

• Shruti Haasan (Special Appearance in a song)

Crew:

• Director & Writer: Buchi Babu Sana

• Producer: Venkata Satish Kilaru

• Co-Producer: Ishan Saksena

• Presenters: Sukumar Bandreddi, Naveen Yerneni, Ravi Shankar Yalamanchili

• Production Houses: Vriddhi Cinemas, Sukumar Writings, Mythri Movie Makers, IVY Entertainment

• Music Director: A. R. Rahman

• Cinematography: R. Rathnavelu

• Editors: Navin Nooli, Antony Ruben

• Production Designer: Avinash Kolla

• Costume Designer: Deepali Noor

• Action Choreographer: Sham Kaushal

• Dance Choreographer: Jani Master

Release Info:

• Theatrical Release Date: 4 June 2026

• Languages: Telugu (Original), Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi

• Genre: Period Sports Action Drama

• Formats: Dolby Cinema, D-Box, IMAX, 4DX, PVR ICE, 3D, and EPIQ standard formats

• Streaming Partner: Netflix (Post-Theatrical)