Days before director Buchi Babu Sana publicly apologised for the criticism surrounding Peddi, actor Janhvi Kapoor had allegedly voiced concerns about the portrayal of her character during the film’s production, according to screenshots shared by her fan clubs.
The screenshots, purportedly showing conversations between Janhvi and fans, suggest that the actor repeatedly objected to the way certain scenes featuring her character were being filmed. The messages have surfaced amid widespread criticism of Peddi, starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, over its portrayal of women and the alleged hypersexualisation of the female lead.
The alleged chats indicate that Janhvi was aware of the issue and had raised objections long before the film’s release.
Janhvi allegedly objected to specific camera angles
One of the screenshots, reportedly dated October 30, shows Janhvi claiming that she had specifically requested that certain camera angles not be used during filming.
“I told him no b**b and waist shots,” Janhvi wrote.
She further revealed that co-star Ram Charan had intervened in support of her concerns.
“And Ram sir is so sweet he also yelled at him and said you will not take such angles of her ever again. So he got upset.”
According to the chats, the “him” being referred to was director Buchi Babu Sana. The messages have drawn attention as they appear to suggest that concerns regarding the visual presentation of her character were raised internally during production.
Scenes spark debate online
Following the film’s release, several viewers criticised the manner in which Janhvi’s character, Achiyyamma, is introduced on screen. Critics pointed to sequences that appeared to focus more on her physical appearance than on establishing her character.
Certain scenes involving Achiyyamma and Peddi, played by Ram Charan, also attracted criticism, with some viewers arguing that they crossed boundaries related to consent and agency. The discussion quickly gained momentum on social media, with many questioning whether such portrayals remain relevant in contemporary mainstream cinema.
“It keeps happening in the south”
In another part of the alleged conversation, Janhvi appeared to suggest that the issue was not isolated.
“It keeps happening in the south,” she wrote.
The fan club also referred to criticism faced by Kiara Advani in Game Changer. Responding to the comparison, Janhvi reportedly said:
“No, in this what they were taking was worse. But Ram sir said no way, stop.”
When a fan questioned why actresses working with the same hero seemed to repeatedly face similar situations, Janhvi reportedly reiterated her view that such incidents continue to occur in the South Indian film industry.
Concerns over consent and creative control
The alleged chats also touched upon broader concerns regarding consent and control over how scenes are filmed and presented on screen.
At one point, when a fan suggested opening a school to educate people about such issues, Janhvi reportedly responded:
“You have no idea what I’ve been dealing with. Trying to make them understand.”
The conversation further revealed concerns about how scenes are ultimately shot and edited. Janhvi reportedly cited examples of other actors whose parents frequently visit film sets and noted that if her father, producer Boney Kapoor, were to be present regularly, the situation could become extreme.
When a fan advised her not to approve scenes involving body doubles because audiences would still assume it was her on screen, Janhvi allegedly replied:
“Ya I’ve said this but you know how it is here. They’ll say close up and put camera on your cleavage. U can’t trust anything.”
As the conversation continued, the actor appeared increasingly frustrated by the situation. In one message, she wrote:
“No more film. We are done.”
While many social media users questioned the authenticity of the screenshots, fan clubs later shared a video that they claimed supported the conversations. The authenticity of the messages, however, could not be independently verified.
Director apologises after backlash
Amid growing criticism, director Buchi Babu Sana issued a public statement on Saturday addressing the controversy surrounding Peddi.
“As a filmmaker, I believe cinema should entertain, inspire, and connect with audiences. It should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected,” he wrote.
Acknowledging the criticism directed at certain portions of the film, he added:
“We have heard the feedback regarding certain scenes in Peddi and have taken it seriously.”
The filmmaker said the team would make changes to the scenes that had drawn criticism.
“If any part of the film has been perceived that way, we respect those sentiments, understand the concerns being raised, and sincerely apologize.”
He further noted that cinema evolves with its audience and that filmmakers must remain mindful of changing perspectives and sensitivities.
Film continues strong box office run
Despite the controversy, Peddi has continued its strong performance at the box office, reportedly earning more than ₹150 crore worldwide within two days of its release.
The controversy has sparked a wider conversation about the portrayal of women in mainstream cinema, creative accountability, and the importance of consent and representation both on and off screen.