Production Designer Avinash Kolla: Peddi Story Left Me Speechless for 20 Minutes

When production designer Avinash Kolla first heard the story of Ram Charan's upcoming Peddi from director Buchi Babu Sana, he experienced something unprecedented in his decade-long career. The emotional weight of the narration left him unable to speak for nearly twenty minutes, a reaction that immediately told him this project would be something extraordinary.

"In my ten years as a production designer, no story has excited me like Peddi," Kolla revealed during recent interactions with the media. "The moment Buchi Babu finished narrating, I knew we had to handle every element of the production design with extreme care. The strength of the story alone demanded that level of attention."

Set in the Vizianagaram region during the 1970s and '80s, Peddi required extensive period recreation that pushed Kolla's team to new heights. The designer and his crew built 24 massive sets, including vintage streets, the iconic clock tower, and surrounding areas that authentically capture rural Andhra Pradesh from those decades. What sets these constructions apart, according to Kolla, is their seamless naturalism.

"The biggest challenge for any art director is making audiences forget they're looking at film sets," he explained. "With Peddi, viewers won't even realize these were specially built. Everything from the sugarcane factory to the hill station setup looks so natural that people will wonder if we actually shot in these real locations."

The film's unique wrestling sequences presented particular creative opportunities. Kolla designed an underground wrestling setup that he claims Indian audiences have never seen before. The now-famous shot of Ram Charan wielding a gada was filmed in this specially constructed pit, which promises to be a major visual highlight.

Kolla's confidence in the project extends beyond technical achievements to the emotional core that first moved him. Drawing comparisons to Sukumar's recent praise of Charan's performance surpassing even Rangasthalam, the production designer believes audiences will experience the same emotional journey that left him speechless during that initial narration.

With Peddi scheduled for worldwide release on June 4th, Kolla's insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the meticulous craft behind what promises to be Ram Charan's most emotionally powerful performance yet.