Peddi Box Office Collection: Ram Charan’s Sports Drama Defies Controversy to Cross Rs 150 Crore in India

Despite a vocal public backlash over the portrayal of its female lead, the latest Ram Charan starrer continues to command packed theatres across the country.

The numbers coming out of the trade desks are hard to ignore. Even with a cloud of controversy hanging over its release, Peddi has officially crossed the Rs 150 crore net mark in India by its fourth day. The action-sports drama, which features Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, has maintained a steady momentum at the box office, raking in a staggering Rs 31.90 crore on Sunday alone. With these latest figures, the film’s total domestic net collection now sits at Rs 157.15 crore, while its gross earnings in India have climbed to Rs 187.02 crore.

Tracking the Numbers

The audience appetite for Peddi has remained robust, recording an overall occupancy of 43.15% on its fourth day. The film’s performance shows a clear peak during afternoon and evening slots, with occupancy hitting 71.77% and 74.08% respectively. Regional data highlights the film's strong grip on key markets; Hyderabad theatres reported a 45% occupancy across 685 shows, while Bangalore kept pace with 34% occupancy in 464 shows. Globally, the film has already surpassed the Rs 230 crore threshold, proving that the star power of Ram Charan remains a formidable draw for audiences.

The film is currently navigating a crowded theatrical landscape. It is battling for screen space against Varun Dhawan’s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, the Bobby Deol-led Bandar, and the Hollywood horror flick Obsession. Despite this competition, Peddi has successfully sustained its run, proving that, at least for now, the momentum generated by its opening weekend is holding firm.

The Controversy Behind the Screen

However, the commercial success of the film has been shadowed by a significant public outcry. Social media and viewer forums have been flooded with criticism regarding the alleged oversexualisation of Janhvi Kapoor’s character. The intensity of this feedback forced a swift response from the production team, with director Buchi Babu Sana issuing a formal apology on X.

Sana stated that the team never intended to objectify or disrespect any female character, and he confirmed that the contentious scenes are being modified. This move is a recognition of the shifting expectations of modern viewers, who are increasingly vocal about the depiction of women in mainstream cinema. It serves as a reminder that even for the biggest star-driven vehicles, audience sentiment can trigger tangible changes in the final product.

Why it Matters

The success of Peddi highlights a recurring pattern in the Indian film industry: the durability of star-backed spectacles. While critics point to the "sharp drops" seen in early daily collections as evidence of a cooling effect, the total cumulative figures tell a story of resilience. The industry is currently in a phase where a film's performance is not just judged by its opening day, but by its ability to weather social media firestorms and survive in a marketplace flooded with diverse choices. The decision to edit the film post-release signals a pragmatic shift—producers are now prioritising brand reputation and audience sensitivity as much as they are box office revenue, acknowledging that in the digital age, a film is never truly "finished" until the audience says it is.