Father’s pride, actor’s bittersweet truth
Megastar Chiranjeevi recently joined the team of Ram Charan’s blockbuster ‘Peddi’ for a special interaction, and what came out of it was pure gold for fans. The veteran actor didn’t hold back as he addressed the buzz that his son has finally surpassed him with this film. ‘People are saying that Ram Charan has surpassed Chiranjeevi in Peddi. As a father, I feel proud and delighted. But as an actor, it is a little difficult to accept,’ Chiranjeevi admitted, with a mix of pride and humility.
Watching his son’s performance gave him immense joy, but the actor in him couldn’t help but feel a twinge. ‘Watching my son’s performance gave me immense joy and pride,’ he said, adding that he wholeheartedly agrees with those who say Ram Charan has outdone him. ‘Such a story came to Ram Charan. It is the kind of opportunity I missed, and he received. That’s why people are saying Ram Charan has surpassed Chiranjeevi. I wholeheartedly agree with them. As a father, I am extremely proud. But as an actor, I have to accept it with a little difficulty.’
SPB’s advice and the longing for content-driven films
During the interaction, Chiranjeevi took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recalling a conversation with the legendary S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. The late singer had once nudged him to take on more performance-oriented roles. ‘SP Balasubrahmanyam once told me, ‘You made films like ‘Aapadbandhavudu’ and ‘Rudraveena’. I know your acting capabilities. But you are moving more toward commercial cinema. You have much greater potential.’ And then he shared that filmmaker K. Balachander had said, ‘You have shades of both Kamal Haasan and Rajinikanth in you.”
That advice stayed with Chiranjeevi, who always wanted to do such content-driven films whenever the right opportunity came. He revealed that he used to admire sports dramas like ‘Dangal’ and ‘Chak De! India’. ‘I told him, ‘Why wouldn’t I do such films if they come to me? I have the capability and confidence to perform in them. But such stories have to come my way first.” Now, he’s thrilled that Ram Charan got a role in a similar sports backdrop with ‘Peddi’.
Why Peddi will outshine Dangal, says Chiranjeevi
Comparing the two sports dramas, Chiranjeevi explained why he believes ‘Peddi’ has a unique identity. ‘Dangal is a family-oriented emotional sports drama. It revolves around wrestling and the relationship within a family. The emotional conflicts between the characters grip your heart and move you deeply.’ On the other hand, ‘Peddi’ is a rustic sports drama rooted in village life. ‘It creates awareness while also motivating people. In a way, it is an educational film for governments, children, and parents. It makes audiences think.’
That’s why the megastar feels ‘Peddi’ will enjoy greater longevity and wider acceptance. ‘While those are classic sports dramas, ‘Peddi’ is a rustic drama rooted in village life. It is a story of people connected to the soil. That’s why I feel it will enjoy greater longevity and wider acceptance.’
Meanwhile, the film is on a rampage at the box office. ‘Peddi’ crossed the Rs 200 crore net mark in India on its second Saturday, earning Rs 8.10 crore on Day 10 — a massive 57% jump from the previous day. Looks like audiences are as hooked as Chiranjeevi is proud.