Ram Charan directors often face a familiar temptation: including references to Megastar Chiranjeevi somewhere in the film. Over the years, such callbacks have become a reliable way to excite fans. Whether it is a dialogue, song, visual tribute, or subtle nod, anything connected to Chiranjeevi usually earns loud cheers in theatres.
Director Buchi Babu Sana reportedly had a similar idea while making Peddi. According to industry buzz, he initially included a reference to Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari, using the classic song “Abbanee Teeyani Debba” in the background of a key sequence.
On paper, it seemed like a perfect tribute. Peddi stars Ram Charan, while Janhvi Kapoor is the daughter of Sridevi, who starred opposite Chiranjeevi in the iconic film. Bringing back a song associated with Chiranjeevi and Sridevi in a film featuring their next-generation successors carried strong nostalgic value.
But such references also come with a risk. Instead of staying invested in the scene, audiences may start thinking about the original film and the memories attached to it. When nostalgia becomes bigger than the moment itself, the narrative can lose momentum.
According to reports, Buchi Babu eventually decided to remove the reference from the final cut. If true, it reflects a filmmaker choosing storytelling over fan service.
A nostalgic callback may generate applause for a few seconds, but a well-written scene can keep audiences emotionally invested throughout the film. The decision also suggests confidence in the material. Rather than leaning on legacy connections, the director seems determined to let Peddi stand on its own strengths.
It will be interesting to see whether the deleted portion remains completely unused or finds its way back later. Sometimes filmmakers add such scenes after a few days to boost repeat viewing, while others include them in the OTT version as bonus content. There are chances that the sequence could potentially appear when Peddi arrives on Netflix in the first week of July.
With premieres beginning within hours, excitement has reached its peak. The film carries enormous expectations, not only because of Ram Charan’s star power but also because many in the industry see it as a big revival hope for Telugu cinema.
