Ram Charan on Peddi: From volleyball captain to cricket and track, sports always came first
Synopsis
Ram Charan wasn't just acting in a sports film — he was drawing on a real past. The 41-year-old star, who captained volleyball and basketball teams and played cricket and track in school, says his grades suffered so sport had to compensate. Now, with Peddi days away, that childhood obsession has become his most demanding role yet — complete with a bandaged wrist to prove it.
Key Takeaways
Ram Charan captained both volleyball and basketball teams and also played cricket and participated in track and field during his school years.
His upcoming film Peddi , directed by Buchi Babu Sana , casts him as a 'crossover athlete' excelling in cricket , wrestling , and sprinting .
Ram Charan sustained a wrist injury during the shoot, appearing bandaged at a recent promotional interview.
The actor says preparation for the role spanned roughly two and a half years since his previous film.
Peddi releases on 4 June and also stars Janhvi Kapoor , Boman Irani , Shiva Rajkumar , Jagapathi Babu , and Divyenndu .
Pan-India star Ram Charan has candidly admitted that academics never topped his priority list — but the sports field was a different story entirely. Ahead of the release of his upcoming film Peddi, the 41-year-old actor opened up about a sporting childhood that saw him captain teams, sprint tracks, and swing a cricket bat with equal enthusiasm.
A Sporting Childhood
Ram Charan revealed he captained both volleyball and basketball teams during his school years — with a self-deprecating twist. 'I used to love sports. I used to be a volleyball captain, probably the shortest basketball captain also. I used to play cricket. I used to do track and field. So, I used to love sports. I mean, my grades were not so great. So, I must be excelling in one of them, right?' he said.
The candid remark drew laughs, but it also underlines the deep personal connection the actor has with competitive sport — a connection that directly feeds into his latest on-screen outing.
What Peddi Demands of Ram Charan
In Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, Ram Charan plays a 'crossover athlete' who masters three disciplines: cricket, wrestling, and sprinting. The role required an intensive physical and mental build-up that the actor says stretched over roughly two and a half years since his last film.
'I think it's wonderful the way we all prepared for this role, her role and mine especially. It's about two and a half years ago was my last film and now we're back with Peddi, bigger, stronger and more confident,' he said.
The preparation came at a cost. Ram Charan appeared at a recent interview with a bandaged wrist, confirming he sustained the injury while filming a scene — a visible testament to the physical demands of the role.
The Film and Its Cast
Peddi is a sports action drama that also stars Boman Irani, Shiva Rajkumar, Janhvi Kapoor, Jagapathi Babu, and Divyenndu. The film is set to release on 4 June. Ram Charan, one of the highest-paid actors in Telugu cinema, made his screen debut in 2007 with Chirutha and has since built a reputation not only for his acting but also for his celebrated dancing skills.
Why This Role Stands Out
Notably, Peddi marks Ram Charan's return to screens after a significant gap, and the multi-sport character arc gives him a rare opportunity to channel his real-life athletic background into performance. This is the first time the actor has spoken at length about his sporting past, adding an authentic layer to the film's promotional narrative. With the release just days away, the actor appears calm and confident — injury notwithstanding.
Point of View
But it also signals something more substantive: Peddi is being positioned as a physically credible sports film rather than a choreographed action spectacle. The two-and-a-half-year gap since his last release, combined with a genuine on-set injury, suggests this is a high-stakes return for one of Telugu cinema's biggest stars. Whether the film's multi-sport premise translates into box-office momentum will be the real test — Ram Charan's personal anecdotes are compelling, but audiences will judge the performance on screen, not the press circuit.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What sports did Ram Charan play in real life?
Ram Charan played volleyball, basketball, cricket, and participated in track and field events during his school years. He also captained both the volleyball and basketball teams, describing himself humorously as 'probably the shortest basketball captain.'
What is Ram Charan's role in Peddi?
In Peddi, Ram Charan plays a 'crossover athlete' who excels in three disciplines: cricket, wrestling, and sprinting. The film is a sports action drama directed by Buchi Babu Sana.
When does Peddi release?
Peddi is scheduled to release on 4 June. The film features a large ensemble cast including Janhvi Kapoor, Boman Irani, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, and Divyenndu.
Was Ram Charan injured while filming Peddi?
Yes, Ram Charan sustained a wrist injury during the shoot of Peddi. He appeared with a bandaged wrist at a promotional interview and confirmed the injury occurred while filming a scene.
How long did Ram Charan prepare for Peddi?
Ram Charan said preparation for the role took roughly two and a half years, marking a significant gap since his previous film. He described returning 'bigger, stronger and more confident' for this project.
