Janhvi Kapoor has finally spoken about the controversy around her Telugu film Peddi, admitting she should have pushed back harder against the way her character was portrayed.
What She Said on Koffee with Karan
Appearing on Koffee with Karan Season 9 alongside Varun Dhawan, Janhvi was asked by host Karan Johar how she processed the backlash. She explained that she had stayed quiet because many people had worked hard on the film and she did not know what there was to say.
The actor did not hold back on the film’s content. She agreed that the portrayal was problematic and an extreme form of objectification, and that the narrative even propagated sexual assault. She added that the impact such a story can have on society, especially on women, weighs on her conscience.
Taking Her Share of Responsibility
Janhvi said she questioned herself repeatedly. She admitted she could have been more vigilant, and said the only thing she can do now is make sure it does not happen again. She also acknowledged that she comes from a position of privilege and could have used it to challenge problematic scenes.
How the Row Began
Since the film’s release on June 4, the portrayal of Janhvi as Achiyamma drew wide criticism for being hyper-sexualised. Director Buchi Babu Sana later issued a public apology. He also promised to remove or re-edit the controversial shots, after purported leaked chats suggested the actor had raised concerns about certain camera angles.
The debate drew in several public voices, including Jaya Bachchan, who condemned the objectification of women in films.
The bigger picture
Janhvi’s entry has sparked the debate on how women are portrayed on screen in mainstream cinema. Her candid introspection adds an insider’s view to a conversation that’s been going on for years among viewers about how camera angles and scripts often render female leads as visual objects.
For now, her message is more about accountability than blame, with a pledge to be more circumspect about the roles she picks.
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