The backlash around 'Peddi' and Janhvi Kapoor's character is generating buzz online. Amid that the director of the movie has finally addressed the situation.
Ram Charan’s film, Peddi, that hit the theatres on June 5, 2026, is currently dominating the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Ever since the release, social media has been flooded with criticism towards the film and the director, Buchi Babu Sana for the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor's character, 'Achiyyamma'. Well, netizens have accused the makers of unnecessarily sexualising her role. Recently, some eagle-eyed fans noticed that the actress liked an IG post, which slammed the makers of Peddi. Amid that, the director of the film has come forward and opened up about the same.
Recently, the director of Ram Charan’s film, Peddi, Buchi Babu Sana had a candid interview with Screen, during which he opened up about the backlash his movie is receiving for over-sexualising Janhvi Kapoor’s character. Addressing the same, Buchi explained that he did not expect so much criticism. Further, he shared that his vision towards Janhvi’s character was completely something else; however, it got portrayed in a different manner. He concluded by sharing that he would take care next time. In his words:
"I had not anticipated that the scenes would be perceived so negatively by audiences. We'll be more careful and make better representations."
For those who do not know, the controversy around Janhvi Kapoor’s character in Peddi began when a few cinephiles shared their thoughts on her character, 'Achiyyamma'. It is worth mentioning that the issue was not Janhvi’s acting, but in the way her character was portrayed. Throughout the movie, Janhvi has been objectified multiple times. In her opening scene, she is seen alongside Ram Charan’s character, who makes a comment about her appearance. Later, when a minor asks Ram Charan’s character, on how he would describe 'Achiyyamma', Ram’s role says, "Chehra dekh kar nahi, kamariya se phechan lenge. Uss chokri ka hume sab kuch pata hai bas chehra chod ke."
Further, in the movie, Peddi, Ram Charan’s character tried to forcefully kiss Janhvi Kapoor’s character and the makers portray it as his love language. Apart from these, there are many more scenes of Ram and Janhvi, which did not sit well with the audience. One user commented, "After watching Peddi, you can't help but feel pity for Janhvi Kapoor. Sridevi would have never allowed her to act in such B-grade films in the South." Another user wrote, "Peddi is sexually assaulting the heroine." A third user penned:
"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 letching at her!"
The movie, Peddi is a sports drama, starring Ram Charan in the lead. The film revolves around 'Peddi', a young man, who fights for the future of his community. Sports play a major part of the film. Along with it, a love story with Janhvi Kapoor is a subplot. Apart from Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, the film also stars Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Boman Irani and more. Amid the backlash around Janhvi Kapoor's character, an old statement of the actress has resurfaced, in which she shared:
"If a DOP puts a camera on 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. Dheere, dheere haan. 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 someway or the other, but it’s important for me to seem polite."
What are your thoughts on the director of Peddi opening up about the controversy around Janhvi Kapoor’s character? Let us know.
Next Read: Janhvi Kapoor 'Likes' Post Slamming 'Peddi' Director For 'Disrespecting Leading Woman In Industry..'