Amid the controversy surrounding Janhvi Kapoor and Ram Charan's kiss in 'Peddi', the former's remark, 'not okay with sexualising someone', goes viral.
Janhvi Kapoor is hogging the limelight for her newly released film, Peddi. The Telugu sports action drama stars Ram Charan as the male lead and Janhvi as the female lead. Amid the buzz surrounding the film, many viewers accused the makers of objectifying her. Ever since Peddi released, the film has been facing severe criticism online over the portrayal of Janhvi’s character, 'Achiyamma.' Now, Janhvi’s old remark on 'not okay with sexualising someone' goes viral.
Amid the objectification controversy, Janhvi’s old remark on 'not okay with sexualising someone' resurfaced. A few months back, the Bollywood actress sat for a conversation with Raj Shamani and opened up about the impact of being oversexualised by the makers and the importance of consent in the creative process. Janhvi explained that in Param Sundari, she did a song called 'Bheegi Saree' where she danced sensually. However, that’s different as she committed to that work. Janhvi shared that she was 'not okay with sexualising' without consent. She added that sexualising without consent truly bothers her. In her words:
"I think at any and every stage, it’s important to ask yourself, what did I consent to? So, for example, I did a song called ‘Bheegi Saree’ (in Param Sundari) where I’m in a wet saree, and I’m dancing pretty sensually. The idea for that was, I wouldn’t say to titillate, but it was a sensual song. I think if someone looked at that and said, I’m not attracted to this chick, I would feel maybe offended. But that’s very different from sexualising someone, especially without their consent. That, in any and every form, I’m not okay with. And that does bother me."
In the same conversation, Janhvi mentioned that if she thought that she was not okay with a DOP putting a camera in some place, she could say it to them without seeming unprofessional. She stated that being polite, a woman needs to pick their own battles and fight them. She was quoted as saying:
"If a DOP puts a camera in some place that I’m not okay with, I should be able to say, nahi, ye nahi chalega mujhe nahi chahiye, without me seeming unprofessional. Sometimes I’ve been polite, and I’ve been like, I need to pick my battles, and I’ll fight them. But now, I’m a little bit like, mera jugaad nikaal dungi. I’ll make my point clear somehow or the other, but it’s important for me to seem polite."
Soon after Peddi released, people have been criticising the particular scene where Ram Charan kissed Janhvi Kapoor. Many also pointed out Janhvi’s character’s objectification. A user on X (formerly Twitter), "The romantic dynamic between Janhvi Kapoor and Ram Charan in #Peddi is one of the most disgusting and dated portrayals I have seen. Shameless shots of her naval and chest. No care for consent. Moral stance of a saviour while constantly ogling and leering at her!" Another user penned, "Outright vulgar and crass portrayal of #JahnviKapoor in #Peddi."
A third user wrote, "#JanhviKapoor was alone in the room, Power goes out, darkness everywhere. #Ramcharan kisses Janhvi forcefully, leaving her in tears and humiliation, and runs away, taking advantage of darkness; then AR Rahman music plays in the background? Are we supposed to feel butterflies?" A fourth user penned, "Telugu cinema should stop using actresses as only glamour dolls! Janhvi Kapoor had no role to play - her role was written so poorly! Director focused more on skin show than on extracting performance from her."
What are your thoughts on Janhvi Kapoor's remark? Let us know.
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