06 June,2026 05:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ram Charan (Pic/Yogen Shah)
Ram Charan's global popularity continues to grow, and the release of Peddi has offered yet another glimpse of his international fan following. As the sports action drama opened to packed theatres, two devoted fans from Japan travelled all the way to Hyderabad to watch the film and join in the celebrations.
As Ram Charan's much-anticipated sports action drama Peddi arrived in theatres, fans flocked to cinemas to celebrate its release. Among the enthusiastic crowd were two dedicated fans from Japan who travelled from Tokyo to Hyderabad solely to experience the film on the big screen. In a video circulating on social media, the duo, identified as Masami and Kris, spoke to the media outside a theatre after watching the film. Expressing their love for Peddi, they were even seen singing popular tracks from the soundtrack, including Rai Rai Raa Raa and Masa Masa.
The fans revealed that they had taken five days off from work and flown to Hyderabad specifically for the film's release, arriving two days before it hit theatres. According to a local accompanying them, Masami and Kris had already watched Peddi three times and intended to watch it ten times during their visit to India.
Ram Charan's popularity in Japan first surged after the release of Magadheera. Over the years, films such as Rangasthalam and particularly RRR further strengthened his fan base.
Meanwhile, Peddi has opened to strong numbers at the box office. According to the makers, the Ram Charan-starrer grossed over Rs 150 crore worldwide in two days.
The sports action drama, set in rural Andhra Pradesh during the 1980s, follows the journey of a lower-caste villager who turns to wrestling in a bid to earn recognition and dignity for his community.
Apart from Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, the film also stars Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyenndu, and Boman Irani in key roles. The film features music by A. R. Rahman and cinematography by Ratnavelu.
While the film received praise, it also received backlash over Janhvi Kapoor's hyper-sexualised portrayal. Director Buchi Babu has issued a statement apologising for the scenes and assured that he will release an edited version.
