Director Buchi Babu Sana has addressed the criticism surrounding the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor's character in Peddi, admitting that he was surprised by the negative response and had not anticipated that certain scenes would be viewed as problematic by audiences.
Reflecting on the Backlash
The filmmaker recently reflected on the backlash the film received over its romance track and said the reaction has prompted him to rethink how female characters are written and represented in future projects.
'I had not anticipated that the scenes would be perceived so negatively'
Speaking to SCREEN, Buchi Babu Sana said he was caught off guard by the criticism directed at the film's romantic storyline involving Janhvi Kapoor's character, Achiyyamma.
"I had not anticipated that the scenes would be perceived so negatively by audiences," he said.
Explaining the intention behind the track, the director added, "The idea was to showcase a playful romance story between Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor. However, we'll be more careful and make better representations."
Criticism Over Consent and Representation
The criticism was largely centred on the way Achiyyamma's character was introduced and how her relationship with the protagonist unfolded on screen. Reviewers noted that the film objectifies women while packaging harassment as romance. The romance track sparked a debate over consent and representation.
Set in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, Peddi follows the story of nameless villages fighting for identity and recognition. Ram Charan plays the titular character, a cricketer-for-hire whose journey forms the emotional backbone of the sports drama.
While many viewers praised the film's themes and its second half, the romance track in the first half became a major talking point online.
Scenes Under Scrutiny
Critics of the film pointed to scenes in which Achiyyamma is introduced through shots that focus on her body before revealing her face. The ensuing courtship sequence also drew scrutiny, with viewers objecting to scenes that they felt romanticised non-consensual behaviour and blurred the boundaries of consent.
The debate quickly spread beyond Telugu cinema circles, with audiences and commentators discussing the portrayal of women and romantic relationships in mainstream films.
Peddi released in theatres on June 4, 2026.
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