South Indian star Ram Charan and Bollywood actress Jahnavi Kapoor's film 'PeDDI' has achieved significant success at the box office. Within four days of its release, the film has grossed over 233 crore rupees globally, making it one of the biggest hits of the year.
According to tracking website Sacnilk, the film earned approximately 31.90 crore rupees net in India on its fourth day, a 10.6% increase from the previous day's 28.85 crore rupees. Despite typical mid-week declines, 'PeDDI' has shown growth. Its four-day net earnings in India stand at approximately 157.15 crore rupees, with a gross of around 187 crore rupees. Overseas, the film has earned approximately 46 crore rupees, bringing the total global earnings to over 233 crore rupees.
The film's success is largely driven by the Telugu-speaking market, particularly in evening and night shows. Analysts attribute the film's earnings to positive audience reactions and word-of-mouth promotion.
However, the film has also sparked controversy due to Jahnavi Kapoor's portrayal of her character 'Achiyamma'. Critics argue that the character is overly sexualized, particularly in a scene where the camera focuses on her body before showing her face. The director has since apologized and announced that the scene will be edited.
Actress Nithya Menen commented on the issue, stating that actors should have the right to set clear boundaries if they find any scene uncomfortable or degrading. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, 'PeDDI' is set in rural Andhra Pradesh and revolves around a young man's journey to establish his and his community's identity through sports. The film also stars Shiva Rajkumar and Jagapathi Babu. Released on nearly 3,000 screens, 'PeDDI' has not only been a box office success but has also sparked discussions about the portrayal of female characters in contemporary Indian cinema.
