- 9 hours ago
Actors Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor, Boman Irani and Divyendu spoke to India Today about Peddi ahead of its release. Their conversation focused on the sports drama, their reasons for joining it and working with director Buchi Babu Sana.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Hello and welcome. You're watching India Today. I'm Suesha Savant and today I'm being joined by the cast of the
00:05film Peddi.
00:06Yes, I'm pronouncing it correct and why I say this is special is because this is a cast that is
00:12very diverse in its trends, in its talent
00:15and to watch them all in the same frame makes it very exciting for us as an audience.
00:20The film is all set for release on the 4th of June but today we're going to have a conversation
00:24about the making of the film, the story, the scale and much more.
00:28Thank you so much for talking to India today. Thank you.
00:31Thank you. Mr. Ramcharan, I want to begin by saying that your Hindi is wonderful because I was watching you
00:36from the audience there while you were recording your other interviews.
00:41Shahid, Shahid, you are hearing one of them talk. I've learned four words and I keep dropping it in my
00:49sentences.
00:51But you're doing a great job with it. Thank you.
00:53You managed to, I won't say fool but like a lot of us buying into the fact that you speak
00:57good Hindi.
00:58But talking about the film, I've watched the theatrical, I've been watching your interviews to play a character like this
01:08which is so earthy, emotionally raw, vulnerable at the same time and physically enduring at the same time.
01:16And to have all of that into account and to deliver it so convincingly what went behind it.
01:23I mean, I think I'm very fortunate to be playing this as we are representing a sector, a section of
01:31people that are unheard, who need the voice, who needs the recognition.
01:35And to play a character like that which is very necessary in a country like India.
01:42I feel very proud and fortunate to come across a role like this.
01:49But was it, you would say, tougher than the previous parts?
01:53I mean, pan India, since we are talking about the pan India appeal of this film, RRR is something nobody
01:58has missed.
01:59But, would you say that this was a more difficult character to play or?
02:03This is the most difficult character I've played.
02:05Getting into the skin of this character was interesting.
02:09I've learnt a lot as an actor.
02:10I feel I've upped my game while going through the journey of Paidi.
02:15It was, it was very satisfying as a person.
02:19As an actor, as a person, overall.
02:21It was beautiful.
02:23Baban, sir, I was watching one of your interviews where you said that Bucci Bahu made you say crossover athlete
02:30over 40 times.
02:32What?
02:33Really?
02:34How many times?
02:36Okay, let's say this way, till my voice went.
02:38But what is it that you were not getting right in all those times that you finally got right?
02:42I never said I was not getting it right.
02:43What I meant is he wanted different varieties.
02:46Okay.
02:47I was not getting it right.
02:49I'm pulling your leg again.
02:50It is just that he wanted variety, he wanted a range.
02:53He wanted me to say it in different ways and he would use the one that worked for him best.
02:58The loudest one was the best.
03:01That's the energy you put in.
03:06Tubelet.
03:07What is it?
03:08What is it?
03:09No, no, I said I caught his punch a little late.
03:13What is it that we are missing out on?
03:14Nothing.
03:15No, no, no.
03:16The loudest one.
03:16Energy.
03:17This movie is high octane energy.
03:19Yeah.
03:19And I could not have played that subtly or nuanced.
03:23That's the point I made.
03:24See how nicely I saved that movie.
03:26Superb.
03:27Okay.
03:28So, you also said that strangely in this film, despite the cast being so wonderful, you have not shared a
03:35single frame with Ram Charan or Divendu.
03:37Is that right?
03:38With Ram sir, you must...
03:39No.
03:40No.
03:41We only used to cross each other because the path that he took 20 years before me.
03:45So, 20 years before he is walking with the villagers to this remote place that he is going to.
03:49And now I am in search of him and now I am in search of him 20 years later.
03:54So, we are doing the same track.
03:55So, sometimes the song is on the same path.
03:59That's it.
03:59But for me, I was with another character called Kurmayya.
04:03Who...
04:04I keep asking.
04:05Everybody is talking about peddi.
04:06Who is just peddi, peddi, peddi, peddi, peddi.
04:08I said, I got to meet this peddi because I need to increase as a minister to increase the number
04:16of medals that we are getting.
04:17Because we celebrated two medals.
04:19We got...
04:19So, two medals?
04:21What are you so excited about?
04:22And he is absolutely right.
04:23Dean Hoan Nand is correct.
04:25So, when I see the exuberance of every single athlete in that maidan and all of them, you ask them,
04:33who is your favorite athlete?
04:35Who is your favorite cricketer, peddi?
04:36Who is your favorite wrestler, peddi?
04:38Who is your favorite...
04:40Who is this peddi?
04:41And Kurmayya says, come, I will take you.
04:44Around the corner.
04:45Right?
04:45But it is not around the corner.
04:47It's across hundreds of miles.
04:48It makes me walk and walk and walk through jungle, through slime, through river rapids.
04:56I was slid down a hill once.
04:59Right?
04:59But the thing is, if you want to seek a diamond, you've got to get into that mind looking for
05:07it.
05:07That's the point of this film.
05:08That we have diamonds all over the country.
05:11We just have to take a little bit of trouble, care, nurture and pull it out of the cold.
05:19That's what this character does.
05:21And I never get to see him.
05:24But you'll see the movie.
05:27Yeah, we'll see the movie, wait for another movie, where both of you have a longer part of you with
05:32each other and all of you.
05:34But Janney, coming to you, so I saw the theatrical, a very energetic, exuberant character that you're playing, which just
05:42like sort of sets the tone apart from the other characters.
05:47The director has said that what you offer to this film, what you're contributing is beyond acting.
05:53What was your take when you sort of heard the script and how you approached this role?
05:58I think apart from just my character, when I heard the script, I felt very strongly about what the film
06:04was saying.
06:05How much it meant to our director, Butchie Sir.
06:09And I think the politics, the social commentary, the cultural implications of what a story like this could do, all
06:17of these things resonated with me very deeply.
06:20So for those reasons alone, I wanted to be a part of this film.
06:23And then when it came to my character, my narration's experience was much like Bowman Sir's.
06:30I don't speak Telugu fluently, I understand it, I'm very familiar with it phonetically, and Butchie Sir doesn't speak Hindi
06:37or English.
06:40Somehow he's directed me through sounds throughout these two years, and somehow I, ah, ah, yes, ah, mass, ah, mass,
06:48oh, okay, yes, got it.
06:49So like this, I was given my performance throughout.
06:53We'll find out if it worked or not, I guess, on the 4th of June.
06:55But, but I think his passion and his clarity of, of making even a character like mine, who, I guess,
07:06isn't such a monumental part of this larger overarching arc of the film.
07:11It was so individual and so complete in itself, excited me for sure.
07:16Did you sort of adopt a different approach for this character, this film?
07:22Language, of course, was one thing, get the dialect right, get the authenticity of the character.
07:27But can I tell you something?
07:28It's very liberating to act, um, in a language that isn't your first language.
07:34Why do you say that?
07:34Please tell us, I'm really happy to do that.
07:35Yeah, why do you say that?
07:36You know, it, I feel like, as actors, we are inherently very caught up with the, um, the lines of
07:44it all.
07:45But I think, well, you're like, okay, I don't know the language anyway.
07:48How much can I mess up?
07:49And of course, you mug up the dialogues because you want to say it as accurately as possible.
07:53But that, um, but you kind of have an idea of how each word should sound like, how, there's a
07:59history of how you would deliver a certain dialogue.
08:02But because I'm not that familiar with what Telugu should sound like or should be performed like, I think it
08:09was very liberating.
08:10In acting school sometimes or acting classes, they make you do a lot of gibberish exercises that I think make
08:16you very close to your character.
08:18And it, it sort of helps you find the character in your body and in your rhythm more than just
08:24the words.
08:24And I think that was, it was very educational for me, I think.
08:28Your experience with Telugu, because this is also your Telugu debut, and were you like really waiting for a platform
08:35like this, a film of this scale to make your debut in this industry?
08:40No, I mean, honestly, I didn't plan anything like that.
08:45But yeah, when this came like an opportunity, I was like, okay, this is something I would like to, you
08:51know, uh, you know, bring my debut with and just very happy the kind of character arc I have.
08:57And, you know, the kind of vision our director has, and you know, how he has projected this character.
09:03Absolutely brilliant.
09:04And to work with such a brilliant cast, technicians, everyone is just sheer honor to be with them.
09:12And again, I was hearing one of your interviews where you said that, uh, when you were shooting for the
09:17film, you were quite a hit among the audience already, or those who were watching the shoot, because Mirzapur is,
09:23uh, yes, yes, he did.
09:25In fact, you guys had a round table, is what I heard, and where you said that, uh, you told
09:30him that Mirzapur is very popular.
09:32I'm pulling his leg here, allow me.
09:34All yours.
09:36So, Mirzapur is very popular.
09:38There's another anecdote about him.
09:39Please.
09:39So, I was mentioning it in reality, he saw his entry shot, he went to see it on the big
09:44monitor, he got so excited, he whistled, and immediately he raised his rates.
09:52Sir, come to that too.
09:53Yeah.
09:53That too.
09:54Rates, yeah, happened.
09:55He's right.
09:59Sorry, you were saying?
10:00But, uh, really, too, for you to...
10:02Yeah, so that, that.
10:03Mirzapur being such a big hit.
10:04Mr. was the first one who actually had an idea that Mirzapur has a following or whatever, but he actually
10:10told me that it's pretty big here, and because we were shooting a cricket scene, and there were a lot
10:16of crowd there as well.
10:18The way people would react, you know, when they saw me, I was like, okay, there was no exaggeration.
10:24And the most, I mean, heartening thing was the way people were just expressing their feelings, without any barrier or
10:33any this thing.
10:34They were just expressing that, yes, we've seen you before, we've liked you.
10:38And that gives you a lot of confidence, right?
10:41I'm doing my first film, you know, in Telugu.
10:43I don't know much about the culture, people, you're learning every day.
10:48But if you get a boost like that, why not, man?
10:51Like, seriously.
10:54So, the language was a challenge?
10:56Was that when you were practicing your lines, when you know you had to get the tone right?
11:00Sleepless nights, I'm telling you.
11:02Really?
11:02Yeah, yeah, yeah.
11:03It wasn't, like, for me, it's just, for any actor, the language is, your spoken dialogue is very important.
11:10I used to just get so harrowed, like, I'm going to say, you know, there has to be, and Telugu,
11:17as a language, I learned, please correct me if I'm wrong, like, you guys take very less pauses.
11:23Like, it's a lot, like this.
11:25Yeah, right.
11:26So, you know, when my dialect coach used to come to my van, and he used to say, Raman.
11:34He actually doesn't take any pauses.
11:36No, he doesn't take a pause, you're right.
11:37Yeah, so he used to tell me, sir, this scene and this line.
11:41I was like, okay, I've understood, but how do you take it?
11:43You know, where are the pauses?
11:44No, sir, we say it like this only.
11:47And then I was like, no, then it's time to introduce some pauses in the language, okay, let me take
11:52this.
11:52So, I had my cigarette and, you know, everything.
11:54So, I was like, taking my own time, bol ke, then in the meantime, I was like, tu line bol
11:59ke, tab tak, main da,t voda style mar ke da,t voda, dek ra ho.
12:03But, yeah, I use all my trickery as an actor just to, because, listen, you want people to see that
12:12you're not making fun of the language and you respect the language and the culture.
12:15So, you have to be on point.
12:17At least 80, 85% of the times, you need to be on point.
12:21No, you were 110, yeah.
12:23No, thank you, sir.
12:24Classic.
12:25And talking about the scale and style and the experience of a Telugu film of this stature, because, like you
12:35said, your entry scene, for example, you yourself whistled because it was so grand.
12:40So, now it's sounding a little too listen.
12:42You really had a bit, huh?
12:44Yeah, it's like you're coming down from some dragon for your entry scene.
12:48Oh, man, no, no.
12:48That whistle was inside.
12:50As an actor, did you feel that, wow, like this is the entry I would have always wanted and, like,
12:57I get that.
12:57No, dude, more than anything, it was just fun.
13:00It was so much fun the way it was choreographed.
13:03Like, you know, I'm coming on a bike, there is a cigarette comes behind my head, which is my chota
13:08bhai.
13:08He's giving me the puff and I'm riding the bike.
13:11The sheer choreography of this is like, you're like, wow, you know, you also, you're enjoying this while you're doing
13:18it.
13:19It's more than that.
13:21Okay, Ramsa, coming to you, obviously, you're like, I mean, you're the superstar that you are.
13:26And I think what is most humbling is the simple energy that you transmit.
13:31And that is exactly what your co-stars also say about you, that despite playing the character, the lead character
13:40or what your equation with your co-actor or that character is, you never let your stardom or anything like
13:49that come in the way.
13:50And you just stay so true.
13:52I think that is what I heard from those who worked with you.
13:56How do you respond to the compliments?
13:59And also, how do you keep at it?
14:00I think all of them humble me a lot.
14:02I mean, it is working with some great talent that humbles us.
14:05A great success humbles me.
14:07I mean, having somebody like my father at home, it humbles me.
14:12I mean, I'm humbled by all of this.
14:13So, how can you be anything but having gratitude and being humble?
14:18I know what you said when you meant like the soft, harsh tones.
14:22I get that.
14:23That was loud enough, right?
14:25Should I say it again?
14:27Perfect.
14:28By levels, okay, right?
14:30Perfect.
14:32Perfect.
14:32And increase.
14:35Very nice.
14:38This is my chance to actually tell you if it's done, it's good.
14:42But you know what they say when a personality enters a room and they feel like they need to make
14:47a big noise about it to sort of establish what they mean, then it doesn't mean anything.
14:52But I think Sir has that ability that he can enter a room and not say a word and be
14:56as simple and as humble as he is, but you still sort of feel his presence.
15:01And I think that says a lot about what his stardom actually is.
15:06How well put.
15:06And talking about the injury on your arm, I believe, is also a part of while you were shooting for
15:13the film?
15:13Yeah, Devandu hit.
15:17He pushed him out of the name because he wanted another entry shot.
15:22No, it's happened.
15:23Just to say that how physically endearing this character demanded you to be.
15:28I mean, yes, this happened three or four days before we were shooting Kusti.
15:32I heard a click.
15:33That means it was a tear, like a cartilage tear.
15:36I was so scared to go to the MRI because I know it will play on my mind when I'm
15:40performing Kusti.
15:41So we shot for 20 days.
15:44Probably it was not as bad as it was 20 days ago.
15:47And then I just...
15:49Exacerbated it.
15:49Yes, absolutely.
15:50It was maybe one tear, but now it's seven tears because of the 20 days of shoot.
15:54I mean, I just had to get through the film and finish and come on June 4th.
15:58Yes.
15:58It was so important that I didn't...
16:00So now, yeah, coffee time, right?
16:03I mean, we'll go back to the next shoot.
16:07I'm hoping all the hard work comes across and translates in the manner.
16:11I'll tell you what happened.
16:14Mohan, who works with me, made a reel for Chikri.
16:20No.
16:21And he went down and he went down and he went down and he went down and he went down
16:23and he said,
16:24Let's go, sir.
16:24We'll make a reel together.
16:25We'll make a reel.
16:26We'll make a reel.
16:27We'll make a reel.
16:27We'll make a reel.
16:27We'll make a reel.
16:28So I went down.
16:30Injali.
16:31Ouch.
16:34Ouch.
16:34So I'm being asked to wrap this interview and I think I want to close this on a very foodie
16:39note
16:39because I overheard some conversation about how all of you have been enjoying the Delhi food.
16:43You eavesdropped on our...
16:45Sorry.
16:45No, I didn't mean to.
16:46I didn't mean to.
16:47I was absolutely in line.
16:49It happened.
16:49And Janvi, it is amazing to how well you know all the good food outlets in Delhi.
16:55For a sense, I had Pomo.
16:56I was like, she knows it so well.
16:58From the butter chicken to the fudges to the sundaes to the chuskis.
17:03So how is it that you people are like making the best of Delhi food right now?
17:07Thank you, Janvi, for ordering for all of us.
17:09I'm on a diet.
17:09So I'm not eating and no one's eating.
17:11Minus, yeah.
17:12No, but I'm like this in whichever city.
17:15I go to.
17:16And even the cities that I've not been to.
17:17I think food is the reason I choose to live.
17:20Wow.
17:21I love it.
17:22The conviction with which you say it.
17:24But you are a Delhiite.
17:25And you've spent a lot of your life in Delhi.
17:29So yeah, all of you are making the best of it.
17:30You stay in Delhi.
17:31Yes.
17:32Yes.
17:33What is it?
17:33I had a light lunch.
17:36I had a butter chicken.
17:37Can you have falooda?
17:39Very light.
17:39It's coming.
17:40It's coming.
17:41Butter chicken, nalli nihari, kulfi falooda, gulab jamur.
17:46And I'm going to see some things.
17:48Naan.
17:48Yeah, naan.
17:50Naan.
17:50Yeah, everything.
17:51Name it.
17:52You know now at the airport you should go to Karnatak cafe.
17:55Okay.
17:56And you should have the dosas and idlis and all.
18:00There's a good chole butter at the airport also.
18:03Yeah.
18:03Really good.
18:04No, but sir, you try this Karnatak cafe.
18:06Oh, I love chole butter.
18:08I'll try it for sure.
18:09At the airport, can you believe it?
18:11But sir, that's the mark of a great city and its food.
18:14That you don't have to travel anywhere.
18:16Where can you go?
18:18That's Delhi for you.
18:20Eat anywhere.
18:22So one thing I can say for sure that a lot of food conversations have happened on this set.
18:26But the theatrical looks very, very promising.
18:30And like I said, for an audience to know that actors with such diverse trends all make it to the
18:37same film is something that we are looking out for.
18:414th of June it is.
18:42Thank you so much for being here.
18:43Thank you very much.
18:44Thank you so much.
Comments