Peddi Makers Spent Rs 23 Cr on Lights, Junior Artistes

The makers of Peddi reportedly spared no expense in mounting the Ram Charan-starrer on a grand scale. According to a leading producer, the film’s production costs escalated significantly due to lavish spending on various departments.

“The producers cleared bills worth nearly ₹15 crore for outdoor unit vans, lighting equipment, and related logistics required for shooting across multiple locations,” he revealed. “Another ₹8 crore was reportedly spent on junior artistes alone, as several sequences demanded hundreds of background actors to enhance the film’s scale and grandeur. These are unusually high figures even by Telugu cinema standards,” he added.

The producer also pointed to the film’s visual effects expenses, particularly a train sequence involving Jagapathi Babu’s character. “A substantial amount was spent on the VFX work, but the final output looked artificial in places. Some of the visual effects stood out for the wrong reasons,” he noted.

However, he was all praise for cinematographer R. Rathnavelu, who delivered stunning visuals despite the criticism surrounding other technical aspects. “Rathnavelu has done a commendable job. The film boasts several breathtaking visuals that elevate its overall presentation,” he said.

Industry sources suggest that Peddi’s budget eventually crossed ₹300 crore, significantly higher than the initial estimate of ₹250 crore. Extended shooting schedules and reshoots at select locations reportedly contributed to the cost escalation.

“On average, the production incurred daily shooting expenses of around ₹40–45 lakh, which is quite substantial,” the producer observed.

Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, Peddi was reportedly shot over more than 220 days. While the prolonged schedule added to the budget burden, the filmmaker is said to have prioritized perfection and quality, resulting in one of the most expensive productions in Telugu cinema in recent years.