Ram Charan fans apologise after 'Peddi'-inspired idol faces backlash online; producer urges critics to see the emotions

Ahead of the release of Ram Charan’s highly anticipated film 'Peddi', a fan tribute intended to celebrate the actor has unexpectedly become the subject of online criticism. A giant idol inspired by Ram Charan’s look from 'Peddi' was recently unveiled in Hyderabad, but instead of receiving praise, it quickly drew trolling across social media platforms. The controversy has since prompted both the organisers and a member of Ram Charan’s team to respond.The idol was installed by Ram Charan’s fan association in Kukatpally at Hyderabad’s Arjun Theatre. The unveiling ceremony was attended by Pasupulati Siva, popularly known as Siva Cherry, who serves as the President of RC Yuvashakthi and is also associated with films such as 'Ninnu Veedani Needanu Nene', 'A1 Express', and 'Michael'.The statue was reportedly designed to resemble Ram Charan’s character from 'Peddi'. However, shortly after photographs surfaced online, many social media users began pointing out that the idol had little resemblance to the actor.Several users compared the statue to other actors and personalities rather than Ram Charan. Some felt it looked closer to Malayalam actor Joju George, while others joked that it resembled Telugu actor Naveen Chandra or even Siva Cherry himself.One social media user sarcastically wrote, “Super Anna, entaki adhi evari vigraham? (Super brother, by the way, whose idol is that?)” Another post humorously remarked, “Vallu cheyinchina vigraham Suryavardhan @AlwaysRamCharan di... Kani akkada unna vigraham Garudadi @eyrahul (They tried to make Ram Charan’s idol and ended up making Rahul Ramakrishna’s).” As the images gained traction, the statue became a viral topic among film fans and meme creators.With criticism continuing to mount online, Siva Cherry released a statement defending the fans' efforts and urging people to look beyond the final outcome.“It is easy to criticize from a distance, but every fan initiative is driven by genuine love and effort. This event was organized by the local Kukatpally Ram Charan fans. I have come across a few tweets criticizing the celebration, but I believe the focus should be on the emotion and dedication behind it.”He further emphasised the passion that motivated the tribute. “As the President of RC Yuvashakthi, I attended the event to support the fans and appreciate their passion for Ram Charan Garu. Every celebration is unique, but the emotion and dedication remain the same.”The fan group behind the installation later shared an apology on social media, admitting that the execution failed to match their expectations. “We sincerely apologize to everyone. Our intention with the Ram Charan statue was to express our love, admiration, and devotion towards @AlwaysRamCharan in a unique way. Unfortunately, the execution did not meet expectations and turned out to be a misfire.”The group also addressed concerns from those who felt the statue may have offended religious sentiments. “We want to make it clear that we never intended to disrespect or hurt the sentiments of Sanatana Dharma or anyone associated with it. If our attempt has caused any discomfort, we deeply regret it.”Despite the unexpected controversy, excitement surrounding 'Peddi' remains strong. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, who previously helmed the acclaimed film 'Uppena', the project features a star-studded cast including Ram Charan, Shiva Rajkumar, Janhvi Kapoor, Jagapathi Babu, Divyenndu, and Boman Irani.The film is produced by Venkata Satish Kilaru under Vriddhi Cinemas, with Ishan Saksena serving as co-producer under IVY Entertainment. 'Peddi' is being presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings.The makers have also secured permission for special premiere shows and ticket price hikes in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. With premieres scheduled a day before release, the film is set to arrive in cinemas on June 4 amid considerable anticipation from audiences.