One surprising aspect of Peddi’s release has been the complete silence from most of Tollywood’s top stars.
Normally, when a star hero delivers a widely appreciated performance or a film opens strongly, social media is flooded with congratulatory messages from fellow actors, directors, and industry colleagues. That has not happened with Peddi. Despite Ram Charan receiving praise, very few celebrities have publicly appreciated his work.
The silence is particularly noticeable because even those who have issues with the film agree on one thing: Charan has done a great job.
For Peddi, Charan underwent a massive physical transformation, trained extensively, learned multiple sports, and reportedly worked through injuries during production.
At the same time, Charan cannot be completely separated from the controversies surrounding Peddi. As the film’s biggest star, some viewers believe he should have taken a stronger stand on certain creative choices that are now drawing backlash, particularly the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor’s character and scenes that allegedly showcase molestation and harassment as romance.
However, that debate does not take away from the fact that he delivered his best. In fact, many who were disappointed by the film also appreciated Charan’s work as its biggest highlight.
The box office performance also reflects his star power. Despite mixed reviews, social media negativity, ongoing controversies, a relatively inexperienced director handling a massive project, and a new production house backing it, Peddi has managed to post respectable numbers in its opening days.
So why are stars like Mahesh Babu, NTR, Prabhas, Allu Arjun, Nani, Ravi Teja, Vijay Deverakonda, and many others staying silent?
One possible reason is the controversy itself. The discussions surrounding Janhvi’s portrayal have become so dominant that many stars may simply not want to get dragged into the controversy. Publicly praising the film could invite trolling and unwanted questions, so remaining silent may seem like the safest option.
But that still does not fully explain the lack of appreciation for Ram Charan’s effort. Whether someone loved Peddi, hated it, or felt somewhere in between, there is a growing feeling among fans that the actor’s commitment deserved at least some acknowledgment from his peers.
In an industry where stars often congratulate one another for successful openings and performances, the deafening silence surrounding Ram Charan and Peddi has become a talking point in itself.
