After cutting controversial Janhvi scenes, Rs 400 cr Peddi adds 6-minutes footage

A re-edited version of Ram Charan's blockbuster Peddi has begun screening in theatres from Thursday, featuring nearly six minutes of additional footage. The new material, introduced just as the film crossed the Rs 400 crore mark in worldwide gross collections within two weeks, aims to enhance the film's emotional and romantic narrative.

The production team has confirmed that 5 minutes and 56 seconds of fresh content have been added to the film. This includes a pivotal scene featuring senior actor Jagapathi Babu and expanded sequences centered on Janhvi Kapoor’s character, Achiyamma. The changes are intended to provide Achiyamma with greater depth and a more compelling emotional arc, addressing criticisms from reviewers who found her characterization underdeveloped in the original cut.

Achiyamma, the daughter of a local politician played by Rao Ramesh, is involved in a political campaign to get her father elected as an MLA, while her romance with the titular character unfolds alongside this storyline. Among the new scenes is a Pelli Choopulu-style bride-viewing sequence, which adds humor in the first half and becomes more emotionally resonant later. Additionally, a market scene preceding the Chikiri song has been included, lending a more grounded feel to the central romance.

The added footage also strengthens Rao Ramesh’s role, which was previously criticized as thin and inconsequential. These changes aim to better explain his motivations and tighten narrative threads that reviewers had flagged as weak points.

Overall, early reactions suggest that the new material smooths over transitions between key moments, enhancing the film’s emotional impact without altering its core story.

The timing of this re-edit is strategic, coinciding with the film’s entry into a competitive phase of its theatrical run. The updates are expected to bolster its performance in Telugu-speaking states and maintain strong occupancy in Hindi belt markets.

The re-edited version follows an earlier round of changes made after backlash over scenes that viewers felt objectified Janhvi Kapoor’s character. Director Buchi Babu Sana had apologized publicly and confirmed the removal of the controversial portions.

Despite these controversies, Peddi has emerged as South India’s highest-grossing film of 2026 so far. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the sports drama also stars Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, and Divyenndu, and continues to hold its position as one of the year’s biggest South Indian releases.