Peddi Director Addresses Janhvi Kapoor Overssexualisation Backlash, Says Team Will Be More Careful

Peddi Director Responds to Criticism Over Janhvi Kapoor’s Portrayal, Promises More Careful Representation

Director Buchi Babu Sana has addressed the criticism surrounding the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor in the upcoming film Peddi, acknowledging audience concerns and stating that the team will be more mindful in its representation going forward.

In a recent interview, Buchi Babu said the intention behind the scenes involving Janhvi Kapoor and Ram Charan was to depict a light-hearted romantic dynamic, but admitted that the execution did not resonate with viewers in the way the makers had anticipated.

“I had not anticipated that the scenes would be perceived so negatively by audiences,” the filmmaker said, adding that the team wanted to portray a playful romance between the lead characters. He also noted that the feedback has been taken seriously and that future portrayals would be handled with greater care.

Scenes Spark Debate on Social Media

The controversy erupted after promotional material and scenes from the film drew criticism online for the way Janhvi Kapoor’s character is introduced and depicted. Several viewers argued that the character is reduced to her physical appearance through dialogue and framing, rather than being presented as a fully developed individual.

Particular criticism was directed at scenes in which Ram Charan’s character comments on the heroine’s appearance and another sequence in which his expressions of affection are viewed by some viewers as crossing boundaries despite the character’s objections.

These moments quickly became a talking point on social media, where users questioned the film’s treatment of its female lead and debated the portrayal of romance in mainstream cinema.

Audience Reactions Continue

Many social media users described the scenes as outdated and objectifying, while others questioned how such sequences made it into a contemporary big-budget production. Some commenters argued that filmmakers need to be more sensitive when depicting romantic relationships, especially given changing audience expectations.

The discussion has also reignited broader conversations about the representation of women in commercial cinema and the fine line between romantic storytelling and problematic characterisation.

Despite the backlash, Peddi remains one of the most anticipated upcoming releases, with the controversy generating significant discussion around the film ahead of its release. Whether the criticism influences audience reception will become clearer once the film reaches theatres.