Janhvi accepts responsibility in the ‘Peddi’ controversy, says—‘I could have protested more strongly’

Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor has broken her silence following criticism regarding the portrayal of her character in the South Indian film ‘Peddi’. The film faced allegations of sexualizing her character, as well as including scenes that were deemed demeaning to women and appeared to condone sexual violence. Acknowledging her own role in the controversy, the actress admitted that she should have raised stronger objections regarding those scenes.

Janhvi recently appeared as a guest alongside actor Varun Dhawan on the ninth season of ‘Koffee with Karan’, hosted by Karan Johar. During the conversation, the ‘Peddi’ controversy was brought up. Karan asked why Janhvi did not attempt to intervene when criticism first arose regarding certain scenes in the film, and how the entire episode had affected her.

In response, Janhvi explained that she was initially hesitant to speak out, given the hard work put in by so many people involved in the film. However, she noted that the way her character was presented—and the potential for such a portrayal to foster negative perceptions in society, particularly regarding women—weighed heavily on her.

The actress stated, “It is important for me to acknowledge my own responsibility in this. The negative impact that such a portrayal can have on society—especially on women—has deeply affected me. I will have to carry this shame with me forever.”

“I Could Have Protested More Strongly”

Reflecting on her own conduct, Janhvi admitted that she could have been more proactive in handling the situation. She remarked, “Could I have done more? Could I have been more vigilant? Could I have protested more strongly? Absolutely—one hundred percent.”

The actress also acknowledged the validity of the criticism directed at certain scenes in the film. She asked, “Was it problematic? Was it deeply demeaning to women? Did the narrative even go so far as to condone sexual violence?” ‘Yes.’

Janhvi stated that her goal now is to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.

Director’s Instructions and the Pressure of Professionalism

During the discussion, Janhvi touched upon the limitations an actor faces when it comes to making decisions during a shoot. In her view, adhering to a director’s instructions is often equated with professionalism; consequently, it can become difficult to voice objections regarding a specific scene.

Janhvi remarked, “Often, it feels as though being professional means following whatever the director says—that you simply have to listen to the director.”

She also noted that when reading a script, it is not always clear how a scene will ultimately be presented on screen. It is difficult to fully anticipate the impact of a scene—considering factors like camera angles, filming techniques, and the final edit—beforehand. The actress mentioned that she did try to make certain scenes less problematic based on her understanding of the situation at the time. However, she does not wish to use these explanations to evade her own responsibility.

‘I Should Have Leveraged My Privileged Position’

Addressing the controversy, Janhvi also spoke about her family background and social standing. She acknowledged that, given her relatively privileged position in society, she had a greater opportunity to speak up or protest than many others—an opportunity she feels she should have utilized.

Janhvi said, “I come from a background that affords me many advantages. I should have leveraged those advantages—especially since I am bound to face criticism regardless, simply by virtue of being in a privileged position. I might as well have put that position to good use.”

What Is the Controversy Surrounding ‘Peddi’?

Janhvi Kapoor stars alongside Ram Charan in the film ‘Peddi,’ directed by Buchi Babu Sana. A section of the audience raised objections regarding the portrayal of her character, Achiyamma. They argue that the character is presented in a way that sexualizes women. Furthermore, there have been allegations that certain scenes normalize or render sexual violence acceptable. Reports indicate that director Buchi Babu Sana expressed regret publicly following the controversy. He stated that there was no intention to disrespect or demean the female character. Furthermore, there has been talk of removing the controversial scene or editing it out of the version released in theaters.

Janhvi’s remarks regarding the ‘Peddi’ controversy have sparked a fresh discussion about the social impact of one’s work and the responsibilities of actors during the filmmaking process.