Nithya Menen has become the latest voice in the ongoing conversation surrounding the 'Peddi' controversy and the questions it has raised about Janhvi Kapoor's portrayal in the film. The actress candidly admitted to not having watched 'Peddi' but did not hesitate to state her position: she is unequivocally against the objectification of women on screen. However, she was equally firm in defending the South Indian film industry against what she perceived as an unfair generalization, emphasizing that objectification is a problem that transcends all film industries globally and cannot be attributed to any single one.
Nithya Menen on Hyper-Commercialization and Objectification
Speaking to Variety India, Menen remarked, "I feel the root of the problem lies in the hyper-commercialization of cinema. Whatever works commercially and titillates the audience is often indulged in for mass success. Is it too much? Absolutely. I wonder if actors should actually have better boundaries and the person who's performing the scene should be able to put their foot down and say they are not okay with being objectified."
Advice for Female Actors: Set Boundaries Early
Menen also stressed the importance of actors knowing their limits. She stated that she cannot imagine being coerced into doing something she is uncomfortable with, adding that she has always been clear about the types of roles and scenes she is willing to accept. For her, these are deeply personal decisions that hinge on an actor's values and their sense of responsibility toward their craft. She advised female actors to be upfront about their boundaries from the very beginning. Menen pointed out that if someone has spent years participating in a certain type of commercial cinema and then suddenly raises objections, it becomes more difficult for those concerns to be taken seriously by the industry.
"I also don't believe that you end up helpless in a situation. You can assert yourself. It depends on what that person's priority is. Are there films that I don't get to do or genres that I don't get to do because I don't do certain kinds of stuff? Yes. But I am okay with it because I choose that over fame. If you only want to be a top star and are willing to do anything to get there, then that is a call you have taken," said Nithya.
Janhvi Kapoor Yet to Respond
Janhvi Kapoor, for her part, has chosen to remain silent on the matter and has not issued any public statement addressing the 'Peddi' controversy to date.
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