# Peddi Casting Twist: Director Buchi Babu Sana Reveals Khushi Kapoor Was His First Choice Before Janhvi — And It’s One Awkward Story

URL: https://technosports.co.in/peddi-casting-twist-director-buchi-babu/  
Published: 2026-05-17  
Updated: 2026-05-17  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

There’s a casting story behind Ram Charan’s upcoming film **Peddi** that nobody saw coming — and it involves both Kapoor sisters, one very awkward living room moment, and a filmmaker who had to say no to one daughter before saying yes to the other, all under the same roof.

Director **Buchi Babu Sana** has now confirmed it: **Khushi Kapoor** was his original choice for the role of **Achiyamma** before he ultimately cast **Janhvi Kapoor** instead. And the way it played out? Pure cinema — even before the cameras rolled.

## Peddi — Film Info

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| **Film Title** | Peddi |
| **Lead Actor** | Ram Charan |
| **Female Lead (Achiyamma)** | Janhvi Kapoor |
| **Director** | Buchi Babu Sana |
| **Genre** | Sports Action Drama (Cricket backdrop) |
| **Key Cast** | Shiva Rajkumar, Divyenndu, Jagapathi Babu, Boman Irani |
| **Special Appearance** | Shruti Haasan (dance number, AR Rahman composition) |
| **Trailer Release** | May 18, 2026 |
| **Theatrical Release** | June 4, 2026 |

## The Awkward Moment That Changed Everything

Speaking to M9 News, Buchi Babu Sana opened up about the behind-the-scenes casting dilemma in a way that’s refreshingly candid. He had initially narrated the script to Khushi Kapoor — but when he met her in person, he felt she was too young for the character. That alone would be a tough conversation. But here’s the kicker — he then had to go to the same house, meet the same family, and narrate the same script to Janhvi Kapoor, Khushi’s elder sister.

![](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/pededededds.jpg)

The director admitted he felt terrible about it, even checking with Janhvi whether Khushi had taken it personally. But his conviction about the role never wavered. From the very beginning, even while narrating the story to others, he would mentally picture Janhvi in the role of Achiyamma.

It’s the kind of real, human story that reminds you how many invisible decisions go into making a film. For more on [Telugu cinema’s biggest releases](https://technosports.co.in/category/esports/), stay tuned to our coverage.

## Janhvi Kapoor’s Peddi Journey

This marks **Janhvi Kapoor’s second Telugu film**, following her appearance in Jr NTR’s *Devara*. Her character Achiyamma was in fact the first character officially introduced from the Peddi universe — a signal of just how central her role is to the story. The film is set against a rural cricket tournament backdrop, with Ram Charan sporting a rugged, powerfully built avatar unlike anything he has done before.

According to [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_Charan), Ram Charan is one of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars, and Peddi is one of the most anticipated releases of mid-2026.

## What Makes Peddi a Must-Watch?

Beyond the casting drama, Peddi is shaping up to be a genuinely exciting package — a sports action drama with a stellar ensemble, an AR Rahman-composed special number, and a trailer landing on **May 18, 2026**. Chiranjeevi himself previewed the trailer and called it far beyond his expectations, which says a lot.

Catch all the [latest Peddi and South cinema updates on Technosports](https://technosports.co.in/) before the June 4 release.

## FAQs

### **Q: Why was Khushi Kapoor not cast in Peddi instead of Janhvi Kapoor?**

Director Buchi Babu Sana revealed that after meeting Khushi in person, he felt she was too young for the character of Achiyamma, which led him to cast her elder sister Janhvi instead.

### **Q: When is the Peddi trailer releasing and what is the film’s release date?**

 The Peddi trailer drops on May 18, 2026, with the film set for a full theatrical release on June 4, 2026.