Janhvi Kapoor has opened up about the controversy surrounding her portrayal in Peddi, admitting that the film crossed the line into extreme objectification and that its narrative could promote sexual assault. Appearing on Koffee With Karan Season 9 alongside Varun Dhawan, the actress said the backlash continues to weigh on her conscience and acknowledged that she should have spoken up more forcefully during production.
“Could I have done more? Could I have been more vigilant? Could I have made a bigger scene? A hundred per cent, yes,” Janhvi said while discussing the criticism of her character, Achiyamma, in the Ram Charan-led sports drama.
She went on to acknowledge the broader implications of the film’s portrayal. “Was it problematic? Was it extreme objectification? Did it even propagate sexual assault narratively? Yes,” she said, adding that her priority now was to ensure the same situation did not happen again.
Janhvi Kapoor Takes Responsibility for Peddi Controversy
Janhvi explained that she had initially hesitated to discuss the issue because many people had worked hard on the film. However, she said the potential negative impact of such storytelling, particularly on women, made it difficult to ignore.
She also reflected on the responsibility she held as an established actor. “I do come from a place of privilege. I should have taken advantage of that,” she said, acknowledging that she could have used her position to push back against scenes that made her uncomfortable.
The actress described the experience as “a violating experience in a way” and said she had struggled with whether she should have made a stronger objection.
Janhvi also explained that actors do not always have a complete picture of how scenes will appear in the finished film. She said scripts may not fully communicate camera angles or the way a character will ultimately be presented on screen, meaning concerns can emerge during filming or later stages of production.
What Triggered the Backlash Against Peddi?
Directed by Buchi Babu Sana and starring Ram Charan, Peddi faced criticism over the sexualised presentation of Janhvi’s character, Achiyamma. Some viewers objected to scenes that focused heavily on her body, while others raised concerns about a sequence involving a kiss without consent.
Following the backlash, Buchi Babu Sana issued an apology to viewers who felt the portrayal was disrespectful or objectifying. The filmmaker said changes would be made to the portions that attracted criticism.
Janhvi hopes the controversy leads to greater care in how female characters are portrayed. She said she hopes that, in future productions, filmmakers will think twice when an actor expresses discomfort about how a character is being presented.
Her comments mark a significant acknowledgment of the criticism, while also raising a wider question about how actors, directors and production teams share responsibility for what audiences ultimately see on screen.
