Janhvi Kapoor has been making headlines for her role in the film 'Peddi', starring opposite Ram Charan. Amid the backlash against the filmmakers, the actress has found a new supporter in her makeup artist, Savleen Kaur Manchanda, who has publicly come to her defense.
Makeup Artist's Defense
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Saturday, Savleen Kaur Manchanda shared a post that presented a different perspective on Janhvi's involvement in the contentious scenes. The post read, 'It is easy to blame an actress for the roles she takes, but the actual timeline tells a different story. Reports show that Janhvi Kapoor explicitly questioned these shots during post-production, a boundary that perfectly mirrors her recent public stance against the industry's habit of oversexualizing women.'
The post further criticized the filmmaking choices that overrode the actress's concerns, stating, 'She drew a professional line, but the final edit kept the footage anyway. This isn't a case of an actress failing to stand up for herself. It is a director choosing to ignore a boundary because he decided her consent mattered less than his box office numbers.'
Director's Apology
Following the backlash over the hypersexualization of Janhvi Kapoor's character Achiyyamma, director Buchi Babu Sana issued a formal apology on X. Part of his statement read, 'I have always had immense respect for women, both on and off screen, and it was never our intention to objectify or disrespect any female character. If any part of the film has been perceived that way, we respect those sentiments, understand the concerns being raised, and sincerely apologise. After reviewing the feedback, we have decided to make changes to the concerned portions.'
Box Office Performance
Despite the ongoing controversy, 'Peddi' has maintained a strong performance at the box office, collecting over Rs 190 crore worldwide. The film also stars Ram Charan, Boman Irani, Divyenndu, and Shiva Rajkumar in key roles. It was released in theatres on June 4, 2026.
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