Peddi US: Did Makers Learn Nothing from Dhurandhar 2?

Ram Charan’s upcoming pan-India film Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, is currently raising concerns in trade circles. Initially scheduled for an April 30 release, the film is still struggling to meet the deadline due to incomplete shooting and ongoing reworks.

One of the major issues reportedly affecting is the delay in making decisions during production. Mrunal Thakur is reportedly cast for the item song but even finalizing her for this special song is said to have taken longer than expected. This has not only slowed down progress but also pushed the film’s budget beyond initial estimates. Instead of focusing on core content and execution, insiders say much time has been wasted on avoidable delays, which could have been handled more efficiently.

In today’s market, where recovery margins are becoming tighter, such delays can significantly increase financial pressure on producers, buyers, and distributors.

At the same time, another discussion has emerged regarding the film’s overseas pricing strategy. With bookings expected to open soon, the reported ticket pricing for premieres is around $30 for premium formats (XD/PLF) and $25 for standard screens. This has sparked discussion among fans, especially when compared to Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, which adopted more competitive pricing at around $16 despite having massive sequel hype.

Higher ticket pricing may boost initial revenue, potentially pushing Peddi toward a $2 million premiere figure, but it could come at the cost of lower footfalls. In contrast, Dhurandhar 2 managed to achieve massive numbers with wider audience reach due to its relatively affordable pricing.

Social media users feel that relying only on loyal fan bases who are ready to buy overpriced tickets may not be sustainable in the long run. A big film needs a large audience over a sustained period to emerge as a huge success.

Peddi still holds strong potential given its hype, ambition, and star power. How the makers handle these challenges in the coming weeks will play a crucial role in shaping the film’s final outcome.