The debate over the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor's character in the film 'Peddi' continues to intensify, and now actor-politician Kangana Ranaut has entered the conversation. She has urged women actors to speak up when they feel uncomfortable on set and reminded audiences that objectification in cinema is often unintentional rather than deliberate.
Kangana Ranaut's perspective on objectification in cinema
Speaking to news agency PTI while promoting her upcoming film 'Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata', Kangana Ranaut addressed the broader issue of how women are depicted on screen. She emphasized that filmmaking is a collaborative process and that female actors have both the opportunity and the responsibility to flag scenes that may not sit right with them.
Ranaut stated, "You can bring light to the scene and say, 'It is sounding like this'. They may not want to objectify because nobody wants to make a film where they are like, 'Let's objectify'. What I have seen is that they don't think that way."
She elaborated on why she believes many problematic scenes arise from a lack of female perspective in the writing room rather than malicious intent. She added, "So as a woman, you can share your perspective and say, 'Yes, this is how it feels like or it is not looking nice'. Mostly they agree with you and say, 'No, we actually didn't think it like that. As a set of men when we were writing it in a closed room, we didn't think it would be so bad'. These things happen. If you are working on a film, if you have accepted it, then it's like a collaboration."
The 'Peddi' controversy in focus
Kangana Ranaut's comments come in the context of the ongoing criticism surrounding 'Peddi', which stars Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor. Much of the backlash has been directed at the introductory scene of Janhvi's character Achiyyamma, where the camera lingers on her body before revealing her face. Many viewers have argued that this choice prioritizes visual appeal over character establishment.
Further scrutiny has fallen on several romantic sequences between the two leads, with some viewers questioning whether the scenes adequately depict consent and agency. The controversy has sparked a wider discussion about the portrayal of women in Indian cinema.
Buchi Babu Sana responds, scenes being removed
Director Buchi Babu Sana has acknowledged the criticism and confirmed that certain scenes will be removed from the current theatrical print of 'Peddi', which was released on June 4, 2026. He has also issued a public apology, stating that it was never his intention to objectify or disrespect any female character. The filmmaker's response has been met with mixed reactions, with some appreciating his accountability and others calling for more systemic changes in the industry.
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