Janhvi Kapoor’s Peddi Character Sparks Debate; Director Promises Revisions

Director Buchi Babu Sana has announced changes to certain portions of Peddi after sections of the audience criticised the film for the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor’s character. The filmmaker issued a public apology and said the team had reviewed the feedback, acknowledging concerns about scenes that viewers described as objectifying and insensitive.

The Ram Charan-starrer, released on June 4, faced scrutiny soon after reaching theatres. While the sports-action drama has performed strongly at the box office, criticism emerged over the depiction of Kapoor’s character, Achiyyamma, and several romantic sequences involving the film’s lead pair.

Buchi Babu Sana apologises, confirms edits

In a statement shared on X on June 6, Sana said he believed cinema should “entertain, inspire, and connect with audiences” and should never make viewers feel “uncomfortable or disrespected.”

“I have always had immense respect for women, both on and off screen, and it was never our intention to objectify or disrespect any female character. If any part of the film has been perceived that way, we respect those sentiments, understand the concerns being raised, and sincerely apologize,” he wrote.

The director confirmed that the production team had decided to make changes to the portions that attracted criticism.

“After reviewing the feedback, we have decided to make changes to the concerned portions. Cinema grows through its connection with audiences, and as storytellers, we have a responsibility to be mindful of evolving perspectives and sensitivities,” the statement added.

What sparked the controversy?

A section of viewers argued that Achiyyamma serves largely as a romantic interest and contributes little to the broader narrative. Critics also objected to repeated close-up shots focusing on Kapoor’s waist and navel, saying the camera work unnecessarily sexualised the character.

Another scene that drew criticism shows Ram Charan’s character pursuing Achiyyamma despite her apparent lack of interest, culminating in a kiss without her consent. Viewers on social media argued that such moments romanticised objectionable behaviour.

The criticism was echoed by several reviews, including one that questioned the necessity of the romance track and described the character’s portrayal as overtly sexualised.

Janhvi Kapoor reportedly raised concerns

The debate intensified after screenshots, shared by fan accounts, surfaced online claiming Kapoor had expressed concerns about the filming of certain scenes. The messages, which have not been independently verified by the actor, suggested she had objected to specific camera angles used during production.

Adding to the discussion, Kapoor’s makeup artist, Savleen Kaur Manchanda, shared an Instagram Story supporting a post that claimed the actor had questioned the controversial shots during post-production. The post alleged that Kapoor had drawn clear professional boundaries regarding how certain scenes should be filmed but that the footage remained in the final edit.

Kapoor has not publicly commented on the controversy.

Industry voices weigh in

Actor Dimple Hayathi also came out in support of Kapoor, arguing that criticism should not be directed at actors alone.

“Don’t blame the actress; blame the system and makers who really think that’s what sells,” Hayathi wrote on X.

She added that performers often work within the opportunities available to them and that responsibility for underwritten or problematic characters rests largely with writing and filmmaking choices.

Ram Charan faces questions online

The controversy resurfaced when Ram Charan attended a public screening of Peddi alongside Sana at Hyderabad’s Prasads Multiplex. Videos from the event circulated widely online, prompting some social media users to question the actor’s silence regarding concerns about Achiyyamma’s portrayal.

Despite the criticism, Peddi has maintained strong commercial momentum. Reports cited by multiple outlets place the film’s domestic earnings above ₹150 crore nett, while global collections have crossed ₹200 crore, with some reports estimating the worldwide total at around ₹250 crore.

Set in rural Andhra Pradesh during the 1980s, Peddi follows the journey of a lower-caste villager played by Ram Charan who turns to wrestling in a fight for dignity and recognition for his community.