New Delhi, June 4, 2026: In a perfect blend of high-glam cinema and deep-rooted spiritual devotion, Bollywood and South Indian star Janhvi Kapoor once again made headlines by walking up the sacred Tirumala hills on foot. Ahead of the highly anticipated worldwide theatrical release of her massive pan-Indian project Peddi, the actress took the arduous, traditional Alipiri footpath route. Barefoot and dressed in a simple, elegant floral kurta-pyjama, Janhvi climbed all 3,550 steps to the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara to seek divine blessings.
The grueling 11-kilometer foot journey has rapidly caught the attention of the internet, with viral videos capturing her serene and humble behavior among fellow pilgrims. For Janhvi, this trek isn’t just a PR event; it is a deeply personal, long-standing familial tradition inherited from her late mother, the legendary screen icon Sridevi, who was an ardent devotee of Lord Balaji.
A Devotional Journey Caught on Camera
Videos circulating across social media platforms show a completely grounded side of the glamorous actress. Forgoing the elite convenience of VIP vehicular access up the hills, Janhvi chose to experience the pilgrimage exactly like millions of ordinary devotees do. Walking up the historic stone steps through the night, she was seen wearing earphones, moving quietly, and keeping a steady pace despite the physical toll.
What charmed onlookers and fans even more was her warmth during the journey. Despite her security detail trying to maintain a protective perimeter, Janhvi repeatedly paused her trek to greet star-struck devotees, flashing gentle smiles and patiently posing for quick selfies. Upon completing the steep climb in the early hours of the morning, she attended the special VIP Break Darshan alongside close family members, concluding her pilgrimage with traditional prayers guided by Vedic scholars at the temple’s Ranganayakula Mandapam.
The Legacy of Sridevi’s Tirumala Sentiment
This spiritual discipline has become a signature aspect of Janhvi’s life. Fans of South Indian cinema are well aware that her mother, Sridevi, made it a point to visit Tirumala during every major milestone of her career and personal life. Janhvi has kept that flame alive. Whether it is her birthday, a birth anniversary of her mother, or the launch of a high-stakes film, she frequently finds her way back to the Alipiri steps.
Social media users have flooded the internet with praise, contrasting her deep traditional roots with her modern, Gen-Z persona. Commenting on her barefoot walk, one fan remarked on X (formerly Twitter), “She could have easily taken the luxury route, but opting for the grueling 3,550 steps barefoot proves her dedication and genuine faith.”
Higher Stakes and Higher Hopes for ‘Peddi’
The timing of this spiritual trek aligns perfectly with what is arguably one of the biggest moments in Janhvi’s professional career. Her latest movie, Peddi, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Buchi Babu Sana, has finally arrived on the global box office stage. Produced on a massive budget of ₹300 crore by Vriddhi Cinemas, Sukumar Writings, and Mythri Movie Makers, the sports-action drama features Global Star Ram Charan in the titular lead role.
In Peddi, Janhvi plays a crucial, multi-layered character named Achiyamma, a rustic village woman from 1980s rural Andhra Pradesh. This role marks a massive evolutionary step for the actress in South Indian cinema. While her debut in the Telugu film industry alongside Jr. NTR in Devara: Part 1 was criticized for giving her limited screen time and restricted scope, Peddi presents her with heavy emotional depth and narrative prominence. Speaking at a massive pre-release event in Vijayawada, Janhvi had expressed extreme confidence in the film, stating, “This time, the audience will adore me a little more. Peddi is a grand theatrical experience about a man’s fight for identity, and I am proud to share space with Ram Charan sir.”
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Early Box Office Reactions and Global Buzz
As the film rolls out in theaters worldwide across multiple premium formats—including IMAX, 4DX, and Dolby Cinema—early tracking suggests that Janhvi’s prayers are being answered. Peddi is currently enjoying an explosive response at the box office, with trade analysts predicting a staggering ₹100 crore opening weekend global haul.
The film’s narrative centers around an elite, multi-talented crossover athlete (played by Ram Charan) who leverages cricket, wrestling, and an indomitable competitive spirit to fight for the rights of the oppressed in his village. Beyond the action-packed sports sequences, director Buchi Babu Sana has teased an intensely emotional core, revealing that the final 50 minutes of the film are designed to leave audiences completely shocked, deeply moved, and walking out of theaters with heavy hearts. Backed by an epic musical score from Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman and a star-studded supporting cast featuring Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, and Boman Irani, the film is poised to become a definitive cinematic milestone for 2026.
With Netflix locking down the post-theatrical digital streaming rights and the initial theatrical talk veering into heavily positive territory, Janhvi Kapoor’s physical penance at Tirumala feels like the perfect, positive prelude to a historic box office run.