Ram Charan in a still from the film ‘Peddi’.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The Adivasi Joint Action Committee for Tribal Rights, Vizianagaram district president Tummi Appala Raju Dora on Tuesday (June 16, 2026), asked the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to take steps to remove words such as ‘Kondana Kodaka’ from the Ram Charan film Peddi, saying they had hurt the sentiments of tribal people in the region.
He said a detailed petition had been submitted to Vizianagaram Superintendent of Police A.R. Damodar, as such words, he said, were banned and could attract cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
Mr. Appala Raju alleged that the director, Buchi Babu Sana, had crossed all limits in depicting the lives of tribal people under the guise of creative freedom. He asked directors and scriptwriters to consult tribal experts before making films, so that there would be no cause for controversy after a release.
Director’s response to earlier row
The film, which released on June 4, had already drawn objection on another count. After criticism over the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor’s character, Mr. Sana said this month that he had taken the feedback seriously and would change the portions concerned. “Cinema should entertain, inspire, and connect with audiences. It should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected,” he wrote on X, adding that he had never intended to objectify or disrespect any female character and apologised to those whose sentiments were hurt.
Peddi, which also stars Shivarajkumar, is about a daily wager in a remote hamlet who turns to sport to fight for his identity. A.R. Rahman composed the music and Rathnavelu is the cinematographer..
Published – June 16, 2026 01:49 pm IST
