Janhvi Kapoor has finally addressed the criticism surrounding her role in Peddi, admitting that the film’s portrayal of her character crossed a line. The actress says she could have challenged the decisions made during filming more firmly instead of remaining silent.
Speaking on Koffee With Karan Season 9, where she appeared alongside Varun Dhawan, Janhvi reflected on the controversy and its impact on her. She acknowledged that the film’s treatment of her character, Achiyamma, involved extreme objectification and that its narrative risked normalising sexual assault.
The actress also admitted that the criticism continues to weigh on her conscience, particularly because of the message such portrayals can send about women.
Why Did Peddi Face Criticism?
Directed by Buchi Babu Sana and starring Ram Charan, Peddi faced backlash over the way Janhvi’s character was presented on screen.
Viewers raised concerns about scenes that focused heavily on her body rather than developing her character. Another sequence attracted criticism over consent, as the male protagonist kisses Achiyamma despite her lack of consent.
The scenes sparked debate online about the portrayal of women in commercial cinema and the responsibility filmmakers have when depicting relationships and intimacy.
Following the backlash, director Buchi Babu Sana issued an apology and said the team would make changes to the controversial portions of the film.
Janhvi Says She Could Have Done More
During her conversation with Karan Johar, Janhvi admitted that she had questioned her own response to the controversy. She said she initially hesitated to speak publicly because many people had invested time and effort in making the film.
However, she eventually recognised that the potential impact of the narrative was too important to ignore.
Janhvi acknowledged that she could have been more alert during production and raised stronger objections when she felt uncomfortable. She also accepted that her position in the industry gave her certain advantages that she could have used to push back against decisions she disagreed with.
The actress explained that performers sometimes feel pressure to follow a director’s instructions and maintain professionalism on set. She also pointed out that scripts do not always reveal how a scene will ultimately look, particularly when it comes to camera angles and visual presentation.
Despite those challenges, she took responsibility for her part in the situation and said she wanted to ensure a similar experience did not happen again.
A Larger Conversation About Women in Cinema
Janhvi’s comments have brought renewed attention to how female characters are written, filmed and presented in mainstream movies. The discussion goes beyond one film, raising questions about consent, creative control and whether actors feel comfortable challenging decisions during production.
Her admission also highlights the difficult position performers can face when their discomfort with a scene conflicts with the expectations of a film’s director or production team.
For Janhvi, the experience appears to have become a lesson in speaking up more firmly. By acknowledging the criticism and her own role in the controversy, she has reopened an important conversation about representation and accountability in the film industry.
