Ram Charan on film obituaries: 'I do what's in my control'
Synopsis
Ram Charan — the Oscar-linked star of RRR — isn't losing sleep over social media users declaring his films dead before release. Ahead of Peddi's 4 June opening, he offered a rare, candid take on the 'pre-release obituary' culture: do your job, stay sincere, and let the audience decide.
Key Takeaways
Ram Charan addressed the trend of social media users declaring films 'dead on arrival' before release, saying he focuses only on what is within his control.
His upcoming film Peddi , directed by Buchi Babu Sana , releases on 4 June after two date changes .
Peddi features Charan as a 'crossover athlete' excelling in cricket , wrestling , and sprinting .
The film's cast includes Boman Irani , Shiva Rajkumar , Janhvi Kapoor , Jagapathi Babu , and Divyenndu .
Charan's RRR won the Best Original Song Oscar for Naatu Naatu at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023 .
Ram Charan, one of Indian cinema's biggest pan-India stars, has addressed the growing social media trend of declaring films 'dead on arrival' before they even reach theatres — saying he chooses to stay focused on his craft rather than engage with narratives he cannot control.
What Ram Charan Said
Speaking ahead of the release of his upcoming sports action drama Peddi, the 41-year-old actor was asked about the culture of online users 'writing obituaries' for films without having watched them. 'I don't have an opinion on this. We can only do what is in our control,' he said.
Charan added: 'I don't like to comment on something which is beyond my capacity to understand or control. I have to do my job. I'm both happy. We are sincere and very happy at the end of the day.'
He also struck a conciliatory note toward critics: 'Everybody doesn't need to like our work. But I hope everybody appreciates it at least. They don't need to like it.'
Peddi at the Centre of Online Chatter
The remarks come as Peddi itself underwent two release date changes, which placed the film squarely in the crosshairs of online speculation and premature verdicts. The Telugu-language film, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, is set to release on 4 June.
In the film, Charan plays a 'crossover athlete' who excels across three disciplines — cricket, wrestling, and sprinting. The cast includes Boman Irani, Shiva Rajkumar, Janhvi Kapoor, Jagapathi Babu, and Divyenndu.
A Career Built on Defying Expectations
Charan's remarks carry weight given his track record. He made his acting debut with the action film Chirutha in 2007 and rose to prominence through S. S. Rajamouli's fantasy epic Magadheera in 2009. A string of commercially successful Telugu films followed — including Rangasthalam in 2018, which cemented his superstar status.
His global breakthrough came with RRR, which won the Best Original Song Oscar for Naatu Naatu at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023 — making him one of the few Indian actors whose work has been recognised on that stage.
A Wider Conversation in Indian Cinema
The 'pre-release obituary' phenomenon is not unique to Peddi. Several big-ticket Indian productions in recent years have faced aggressive social media campaigns — both for and against — well before their theatrical runs. Critics argue this culture can distort public perception and affect box-office openings unfairly. Filmmakers and actors, notably, have increasingly chosen to address it directly rather than stay silent. Charan's measured response reflects a broader industry shift toward acknowledging the trend without amplifying it.
With Peddi set to open on 4 June, audience reception will be the final word on whether the online noise translates into real-world impact.
Point of View
But the issue he's pointing to is real and growing. The 'pre-release obituary' culture — driven by fan armies, rival fanbases, and algorithm-chasing social media accounts — has become a genuine reputational risk for Indian films, sometimes shaping box-office outcomes before a single ticket is sold. That Charan, a global-stage actor with an Oscar to his name, still feels the need to address it publicly says something about how deeply this dynamic has embedded itself in Indian film culture. The more interesting question is whether the industry will ever collectively push back with structural solutions — or whether individual actors absorbing the noise is simply the new normal.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ram Charan say about pre-release film obituaries?
Ram Charan said he does not engage with online judgments passed on films before their release, stating 'We can only do what is in our control.' He added that while not everyone needs to like a film, he hopes audiences at least appreciate the sincerity behind it.
When is Ram Charan's film Peddi releasing?
Peddi is scheduled to release on 4 June 2025. The film had previously undergone two release date changes before settling on this date.
What is the film Peddi about?
Peddi is a Telugu-language sports action drama directed by Buchi Babu Sana, in which Ram Charan plays a 'crossover athlete' who excels in cricket, wrestling, and sprinting. The film also stars Boman Irani, Shiva Rajkumar, Janhvi Kapoor, Jagapathi Babu, and Divyenndu.
What is Ram Charan's connection to the Oscars?
Ram Charan starred in RRR, which won the Best Original Song Oscar for Naatu Naatu at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023, bringing him global recognition beyond Indian cinema.
Why has Peddi faced online scrutiny?
Peddi faced online speculation largely due to its two release date postponements, which fuelled premature judgments about the film on social media — a trend Ram Charan directly addressed in recent remarks.
