Janhvi Kapoor has finally spoken about the criticism around her role in Ram Charan's Peddi, and she did not hold back. Appearing on Koffee With Karan Season 9 with host Karan Johar, the actor agreed that the way her character was presented in the film amounted to "extreme objectification" and said shooting parts of it was "a violating experience in a way".
Her comments, which surfaced on Wednesday, October 28, have reopened the debate on how lead actresses are written and shot in big-ticket commercial films.
What Janhvi Kapoor said
Janhvi began by explaining why she had stayed silent until now. "I feel many people worked really hard on that film, and I really didn't know if there was anything to say," she said.
She then turned the question on herself. "Could I have done more? Could I have been more vigilant? 100% yes," she admitted. Asked whether the film's treatment of her character was problematic, she accepted that it was extreme objectification and described the shoot as "a violating experience in a way".
The actor also spoke about how films are made, saying that actors often don't get full scripts or details of camera angles in advance, and that she should have used her privilege better to ask questions. Looking ahead, she said she hoped that "maybe next time a director will rethink twice before presenting a lead actress this way".
The Peddi controversy explained
Peddi is a sports action drama directed by Buchi Babu Sana, with Ram Charan in the title role. Janhvi plays Achiyyamma, the hero's love interest. The film released in theatres on June 4, 2026.
Soon after the release, many viewers objected to sequences in which the camera focused heavily on Achiyyamma's body rather than her character. Another scene drew sharp criticism for showing the hero pursuing her despite her lack of interest, and kissing her during a power outage without her consent.
Facing the backlash, director Buchi Babu Sana apologised on X and said the portions that raised concerns would be changed. He wrote that it "was never our intention to objectify or disrespect any female character".
Quick facts
| Film | Peddi |
| Director | Buchi Babu Sana |
| Lead actor | Ram Charan |
| Janhvi's role | Achiyyamma, the hero's love interest |
| Theatrical release | June 4, 2026 |
| Director's response | Apology on X, disputed portions changed |
| Janhvi's comments | Koffee With Karan Season 9 |
Why her words matter
It is rare for a leading actor to criticise one of her own big releases so openly, especially a film headlined by a star as big as Ram Charan. Most actors either defend such projects or simply avoid the topic. By owning her part in it and admitting she could have pushed back harder, Janhvi has turned a celebrity chat-show segment into a wider conversation about consent on screen and the power actors have, or don't have, on set.
Her remarks also land at a time when audiences across Hindi and South Indian cinema are increasingly calling out scenes that glamorise stalking or treat heroines as mere eye candy.
The bigger question for the industry
Janhvi's point about actors not always seeing full scripts or knowing camera angles in advance goes beyond one film. It raises a practical question about how sets work: who decides how a scene is framed, and how much say performers have once the cameras roll. Many in the industry have argued for clearer briefings, intimacy coordinators and written agreements on sensitive scenes. An honest admission from a well-known star could add weight to those calls, especially as more Hindi film actors take up big projects in Telugu, Tamil and Kannada cinema, where working styles can differ.
What's next for Janhvi
Janhvi's statement is likely to keep Peddi in the conversation for a while, and many will be watching how filmmakers she works with next respond to her call. For the actor herself, the episode marks a clear shift: she has signalled that she wants to be more careful, and more vocal, about how her characters are written and shot in future projects.
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