The portrayal of Achiyamma, played by Janhvi Kapoor in Peddi, has sparked considerable discussion since the film’s release. Several viewers and commentators questioned the way the character was developed and presented on screen. In response to audience feedback, the makers removed a couple of controversial scenes within the first few days of the film’s theatrical run.

At the same time, the team defended its creative choices. Director Buchi Babu Sana revealed that several important scenes featuring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor were trimmed before release to reduce the film’s runtime. According to the filmmaker, those deleted portions provided greater context to Achiyamma’s character arc and emotional journey. The makers believe that retaining those scenes would have helped audiences better understand her significance in the narrative.

Janhvi Kapoor’s role gets more depth

The original cut of Peddi reportedly ran close to 189 minutes before undergoing further trims. The makers have now decided to add back select scenes to the theatrical version, increasing the runtime by approximately six minutes. The additional footage is expected to provide more context to Achiyamma’s character and strengthen her presence in the story.

Peddi marks an important phase in Janhvi Kapoor’s Telugu cinema journey. She made her Telugu debut opposite Jr NTR in Devara: Part 1, where she played Thangam. Her pairing with Ram Charan in Peddi further strengthens her presence in the industry.

Where does Peddi stand?

The sports-action drama opened to high expectations and drew strong crowds across the Telugu states. According to the makers, the film has performed impressively at the box office. While the Telugu version has reportedly enjoyed a robust theatrical run, its performance in Hindi-speaking markets and overseas territories has been comparatively modest.

Ram Charan’s performance has emerged as one of the film’s biggest talking points, with audiences and critics praising his emotional range, screen presence, and physical transformation for the role.

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Rishab Shetty is set to headline The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, which has received a major update. The historical epic will reportedly be made as a two-part film series, with a budget exceeding Rs 500 crore. The reported budget would place it among the most expensive productions in Indian cinema.Part one is expected to release in 2028, with the second installment slated to arrive a year later in 2029.

A team of accomplished technicians

Director Sandip Singh is helming the project with a team of acclaimed technicians. The screenplay has been penned by writing duo Siddharth-Garima, while Prasoon Joshi will write the lyrics. Ravi Varman has been roped in as cinematographer, and Academy Award-winner Resul Pookutty will oversee the sound design.

The period epic chronicles the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the 17th-century Maratha ruler who founded the Maratha Empire and challenged far larger forces through military strategy, vision, and leadership.

A subject that has inspired generations of filmmakers

The life of Shivaji Maharaj has fascinated Indian filmmakers for decades. As early as 1952, director Bhalji Pendharkar brought the Maratha ruler’s story to the big screen, with Chandrakant Mandhare portraying the emperor.

More recently, Ajay Devgn’s Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior depicted the story of Shivaji’s trusted general and emerged as a major box-office success, winning three National Film Awards. Riteish Deshmukh’s Raja Shivaji, which he also directed, released on Maharashtra Day in May 2026. The Maratha Empire remains one of Indian cinema’s most explored historical subjects, inspiring numerous films across languages and generations.

Jai Hanuman is also in Rishab’s pipeline

Rishab Shetty was recently seen in Kantara: Chapter 1, which emerged as a major box-office success. He also has Jai Hanuman, directed by Prasanth Varma, in the pipeline.

While Jai Hanuman is rooted in mythology and the superhero genre, The Pride of Bharat: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is being mounted as a large-scale historical drama based on the life and legacy of the celebrated Maratha ruler.

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