When
it comes to cinematic transformations, Ram Charan is raising the bar yet again. For Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the 41-year-old actor ditched the polished “Greek god” aesthetic for something far more raw and rooted - a rugged desi pehalwan physique. And this wasn’t a quick makeover. It was a 16-month grind built on discipline, traditional training, and meticulous planning – for the movie, based on wrestling.Also read: Japanese Walking Is 2026’s Biggest Fitness Trend - But Does It Really Work?
A shift from aesthetics to functional strength
According to celebrity trainer Rakkesh R Uddiyar – who trained Ram, the goal was clear from day one: no chiselled, glossy look - just real, functional strength. The idea was to reflect the physicality of an Indian wrestler, where endurance, grip strength, and mobility matter more than visible abs. This approach taps into a growing fitness trend that prioritizes functional training over aesthetic bodybuilding. Instead of isolating muscles, workouts focused on full-body coordination, agility, and real-world strength.
Inside the akhada-style workout routine
Ram's training split combined modern sports science with traditional Indian fitness methods. His weekly routine included:
- Weight training and fasted cardio for fat loss and conditioning
- Functional movement training to improve agility and balance
- Kushti – or wrestling drills for strength, stamina, and combat readiness
- Mobility work to prevent injuries and enhance flexibility
What truly set his regimen apart was the use of indigenous
akhada techniques, including:
- Gada or mace training for shoulder and core strength
- Surya Namaskar for flexibility and endurance
- Rope-pulling exercises to build grip and upper body power
- Pehalwan (wrestler)-style bodyweight drills rooted in traditional wrestling culture
These methods are not just effective; they are deeply connected to India’s fitness heritage, now making a strong comeback in mainstream training.
The diet: Vegetarian, structured, and strategic
Transforming the body wasn’t just about workouts; it required a highly controlled diet. Despite already being partly vegetarian, transitioning Ram to a fully vegetarian diet during intense training posed challenges. The solution? Carb cycling is a popular fitness strategy where carbohydrate intake is adjusted daily using both low-carb days to promote fat loss and high-carb days to fuel intense workouts and recovery. Ram’s daily intake ranged between 1,800 and 2,500 calories, carefully calibrated to match his training phases. For earlier portions of the film, where he portrays a village youth, he followed a calorie-deficient diet to achieve a lean, grounded look instead of bulk.
Discipline beyond the gym
This transformation wasn’t just physical - it was logistical. Workouts began before sunrise, followed by tightly scheduled meals and recovery sessions. A dedicated team - including doctors, dieticians, and chefs, coordinated every detail through constant communication to ensure consistency. As Uddiyar put it, “It’s not a one-day programme.” The process demanded over a year of relentless discipline, proving that real transformation is a marathon, not a sprint.
Why does this matter for fitness enthusiasts?
Ram's
Peddi transformation reflects a broader shift in fitness culture - from chasing six-pack abs to building functional, sustainable strength.
Akhada-style training offers a powerful alternative that combines tradition with performance. If there is one lesson here, it’s that fitness is not just about how you look, but about how your body performs. By embracing traditional methods and disciplined nutrition, Ram has redefined what it means to be truly fit - strong, resilient, and rooted in purpose.
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