Before Janhvi Kapoor was locked in as Ram Charan’s leading lady in Peddi, another young actor was in the conversation. Director Buchi Babu Sana has now revealed that Khushi Kapoor was considered for the part first, a detail that instantly changes how fans look at the film’s casting journey and adds a fresh twist to one of Telugu cinema’s most talked-about projects.
That one admission has sparked interest because Janhvi’s casting in Peddi was always seen as a significant move, both for the film and for her expanding South Indian screen presence. Hearing that the role took a different route before finally landing with her gives the project a more layered backstory than many expected.
During an interview with M9, Buchi shared, “I initially narrated the film to Khushi Kapoor. But once I saw her in person, I realised that she’s too young for this character. Now, imagine when I have to reject Khushi and give narration to Janhvi in the same home. I felt bad and asked Janhvi if Khushi didn’t take offence.”
The filmmaker further explained why he thought Janhvi was a better fit for the role than Khushi, saying, “I explained why I rejected her sister. I looked at Khushi, told her hi, and said, I don’t want you in the film, I want your sister.”
He went on to add that such decisions are often necessary for cinema. From the very beginning, he felt that the role was meant to be for Janhvi, adding that even while narrating the script to others, he could only imagine the Dhadak actress portraying the character.
Inside The Casting Turn That Brought Janhvi Kapoor Aboard
Buchi Babu Sana’s remark about Khushi Kapoor being considered before Janhvi Kapoor offers a rare look at how the female lead of Peddi came together behind the scenes. In an industry where casting decisions are usually announced only after everything is locked, such a candid reveal stands out because it shows that the makers explored more than one direction before settling on the final pairing.
The final choice, of course, places Janhvi opposite Ram Charan in a film that already carries strong industry attention. Peddi is directed by Buchi Babu Sana and features Ram Charan in the lead, with Janhvi Kapoor joining a cast that also includes Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu and Divyenndu. With A. R. Rahman on music and a theatrical release date set for June 4, 2026, the film has been mounted as a major big-screen event, which makes every casting detail around it especially compelling.
What keeps this reveal interesting is that it does not feel like a trivial what-if. It highlights the careful shaping of the film’s central dynamic, especially when the lead pair is such an important part of a star-driven Telugu entertainer. Now that Janhvi is officially part of Peddi, Buchi Babu Sana’s comment gives audiences a glimpse of the alternate version that almost happened.
Janhvi Kapoor’s Recent And Upcoming Work
For Janhvi Kapoor, Peddi is more than just another addition to her lineup. It arrives at a time when she has been broadening her screen identity beyond Hindi cinema and taking on projects that can reposition her in a bigger commercial space. Her 2024 release Devara: Part 1 marked her Telugu debut and gave her a clear entry into the southern market, making Peddi an important follow-up rather than a one-off move.
Her recent work also reflects that balancing act. In 2025, Janhvi featured in Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, and Param Sundari alongside Sidharth Malhotra. She is also attached to Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. Against that backdrop, Peddi stands out as one of her key confirmed theatrical releases for 2026, alongside Lag Jaa Gale with Vidyut Jammwal and Tabu. If Devara: Part 1 opened the door, Peddi now looks like the film that could define how firmly Janhvi establishes herself in Telugu big-screen storytelling.
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