'Did it Propagate Sexual Assault? Yes': Janhvi Kapoor Opens Up on 'Peddi' Controversy
Janhvi Kapoor admits she should have been more vigilant about the objectification and sexual assault narratives in the film Peddi.
Actor Janhvi Kapoor has candidly addressed the backlash surrounding her role in the sports drama Peddi, admitting that she should have been more vigilant regarding the objectification of her character. Speaking on Koffee With Karan Season 9 alongside Varun Dhawan, the actress expressed deep regret over how her character, Achiyamma, was portrayed in the film directed by Buchi Babu Sana and starring Ram Charan.
A Weight on the Conscience
During the conversation with host Karan Johar, Janhvi revealed that the criticism surrounding the film continues to haunt her. She did not shy away from the gravity of the accusations, acknowledging that the narrative may have crossed a dangerous line.
"It weighs heavily on my conscience the sort of negative impact a narrative like that can have our society. Specific to my gender. That shame I will always carry with me," Janhvi stated.
When asked directly if the film was problematic, the actress gave a stark admission: "Could I have done more? Could I have been more vigilant? 100% yes. Was it problematic, was it extreme objectification? Did it even propagate sexual assault narratively? Yes."
The Struggle with Script and Direction
While taking responsibility, Janhvi also shed light on the practical challenges of filming in the South Indian film industry, specifically regarding the lack of detailed documentation. She explained that the absence of a "bound script" often leaves actors in the dark about how scenes will actually be captured on screen.
She noted that in many South Indian productions, actors rarely receive a final script or a detailed breakdown of camera angles beforehand. Janhvi mentioned that she tried to navigate the process to make the scenes less problematic as more information became available to her, but ultimately felt she fell short.
Acknowledging Privilege
The actress also reflected on her status within the film industry, admitting that her background and privilege should have empowered her to speak up more forcefully against the portrayal of her character.
"I need to also take responsibility for my half of it. I do come from a place of privilege. I should have taken advantage of that because I’m going to get the sh** for being privileged anyway. So I might as well have leveraged it," she added.
The Backstory of the 'Peddi' Row
The controversy erupted after viewers criticized the depiction of Achiyamma, arguing that the character's presentation focused excessively on her sexuality. More alarmingly, some audience members raised concerns that certain sequences appeared to normalize or promote sexual assault.
In response to the outcry, director Buchi Babu Sana issued a public apology, clarifying that the production team never intended to objectify or disrespect women. Following the backlash, the contentious scenes were either edited or completely removed from the theatrical version of the movie.