With Peddi hitting theaters worldwide on June 4, and special premieres lined up for June 3, director Buchi Babu Sana is a mix of excitement and anticipation. The film stars Ram Charan and is produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under Vridhi Cinemas, with presentations by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings. In a candid press interaction, the director shares his journey of making this massive sports drama.
"When Ram Charan garu mentioned that I would become one of India's top five directors, I felt it was simply a reflection of his affection and appreciation," the second-time director says. Asking the families to watch the movie collectively, he describes Peddi as a "highly emotional, highly commercial, and very entertaining" outing. "What Peddi learns from the sport and what the sport gives him is something everyone will connect with," he shares.
It has been nearly five years since my debut film, Uppena. Taking a five-year hiatus after delivering a blockbuster is unusual for a director, but that is simply how my journey unfolded. My mentor, Sukumar garu, introduced me to Ram Charan garu, to whom I narrated this story. It took me two and a half years after Uppena just to lock the script and present it to him. Once he approved the story, we moved quickly, completing the entire shoot of Peddi in about a year and a half.
Reports that I originally planned this story for Jr NTR garu are entirely untrue. The concept I had in mind for him was completely different, whereas the story of Peddi was developed solely with Charan garu in mind. He came on board simply because he connected with the script. Knowing he had a long-standing interest in doing a sports drama, we shaped Peddi specifically to appeal to him.
Every actor in the film underwent special training for their roles. The hero trained rigorously as a wrestler for three to four months, completely transforming himself. In fact, his physical transformation surpassed the initial concept designs we created using AI for his three distinct phases in the movie. His dedication was incredible, especially since he sustained several injuries during the intense wrestling sequences. I was particularly terrified when he suffered an eye injury that began to bleed on set.
The scale and execution of a film inevitably change depending on the stardom of the hero. If I had attempted to make this same story with a budget of Rs 20 crore, many essential elements would have been impossible to execute. While my first film was made on a budget of Rs 25 crore, this second project has a budget of Rs 350 crore.
Presenting a commercial hero in an organic and believable way is like walking on a razor's edge. The climax is something that truly needs to be experienced on the big screen, and everyone who has seen it so far has described it as extraordinary. There is a major emotional block of about 15 minutes that we deliberately kept out of the trailer. If Pushpa Raj lives in your mind, Peddi will live in your heart.
To recreate the atmosphere of 1985 for this fictional story set in Vijayanagaram, art director Avinash Kolla delivered exceptional work. Everything is natural and authentic.
After AR Rahman sir composed Massa Massa, he did not play it for anyone for almost two months. I even asked him for an alternative option during that time. One day, the hero happened to listen to the song while traveling in his car, and he absolutely loved it, calling it terrific. After hearing his feedback, we never looked for another option because we completely trusted his judgment.
I have known our producer, Satish garu, since my days as an assistant director, and it was the hero himself who suggested he produce this film. He is an exceptionally passionate producer and a deeply positive person who still calls me regularly just to check if I have eaten. Working with him has been a wonderful experience.
While Chiranjeevi garu is yet to watch the movie, Surekha garu loved a small stretch that she watched. She got emotional. As for my guru, Sukumar garu, he really loved the second half.
