Don't blame Janhvi, blame the makers: Telugu actor Dimple Hayathi on Peddi row
Telugu actor Dimple Hayathi responded to trolls questioning her support for Janhvi Kapoor during the Peddi row. She reflected on how female characters are written and portrayed on-screen.
Telugu actor Dimple Hayathi has hit back at social media users who questioned her for supporting Janhvi Kapoor amid the backlash over Peddi, saying the focus should be on how female characters are written and portrayed on screen rather than on individual actors. Filmmaker Buchi Babu Sana’s sports action drama, which stars Ram Charan in the lead and Janhvi Kapoor as the female lead, has faced criticism from a section of viewers over the hypersexualisation of its heroine.
On Sunday, Dimple posted a series of messages on X, after facing trolling for backing Janhvi. Her response came a day after Buchi Babu Sana issued a statement on the controversy, saying cinema should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected, while the film has continued to hold strong at the box office.
Dimple wrote, "A woman using her voice shouldn’t be a headline, it should be the norm I believe (sic)."
"Guys relax take a chill pill please concentrate on your lives. I have got mine my opinion or my experiences doesn’t have to go with you or i come and answer each of you. Get a life (sic)," she added in another post.
Unfair burden on female actors
Responding to people who brought up her own career choices, Dimple said not every female actor gets roles that fully show their talent. She emphasised that some actors spend years working within the limits of the characters written for them, and argued that it was unfair to place the entire burden on a female lead when the shortcomings come from the writing.
The actor highlighted that the conversation should move away from making individuals the target and instead look at what can be done in future filmmaking and in creating better-written female characters and leads.
"But one thing to remember, not every female actor is fortunate enough to receive roles that fully showcase their abilities. Sometimes they have to spend years working within the limitations of the characters they are offered or written for them. It’s not about who has come from where and who’s who big or small or who is less over who; it’s only spoken and unfair to place the entire burden on a female lead actor when the shortcomings clearly stem from the writing (sic)," Dimple went on.
"That said, the conversations should perhaps be less about individual targets and learn more about what to be done in the future, coming in filmmaking and well-written female characters or leads as well (sic)," the 27-year-old concluded.
Stereotypes in hero-centric cinema
Dimple spoke out against the industry's habit of penalising performers for flawed scripts, stating, "don't blame the actress blame the system and makers who really think that’s what sells (sic)." She argued that performers must work within the limited opportunities they receive while hoping to reach wider audiences.
She further highlighted how industry practices restrict women on screen, adding, "Unfortunately, we are stereotyped by image...without getting the opportunity to showcase our full potential to perform, whereas when the hero-centred stories take over, the liberty to project (sic)."
Peddi director Buchi Babu addresses criticism
Peddi has been under fire since its release, with many viewers criticising the film’s portrayal of women and the hypersexualisation of Janhvi Kapoor’s character. On Saturday, director Buchi Babu Sana addressed the criticism in a statement. He wrote, ‘As a filmmaker, I believe cinema should entertain, inspire, and connect with audiences. It should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected.’
The director said he respected the reactions of those who were upset by parts of the film and apologised to viewers who felt uncomfortable. He said, ‘If any part of the film has been perceived that way, we respect those sentiments, understand the concerns being raised, and sincerely apologise.’ He also said cinema evolves with audiences and that storytellers must stay aware of changing perspectives and sensitivities.
Peddi also features actors Ram Charan, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyendu, Boman Irani and Ravi Kishan in key roles.
The film theatrically released on June 4, 2026.
Telugu actor Dimple Hayathi has hit back at social media users who questioned her for supporting Janhvi Kapoor amid the backlash over Peddi, saying the focus should be on how female characters are written and portrayed on screen rather than on individual actors. Filmmaker Buchi Babu Sana’s sports action drama, which stars Ram Charan in the lead and Janhvi Kapoor as the female lead, has faced criticism from a section of viewers over the hypersexualisation of its heroine.
On Sunday, Dimple posted a series of messages on X, after facing trolling for backing Janhvi. Her response came a day after Buchi Babu Sana issued a statement on the controversy, saying cinema should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected, while the film has continued to hold strong at the box office.
Dimple wrote, "A woman using her voice shouldn’t be a headline, it should be the norm I believe (sic)."
"Guys relax take a chill pill please concentrate on your lives. I have got mine my opinion or my experiences doesn’t have to go with you or i come and answer each of you. Get a life (sic)," she added in another post.
Unfair burden on female actors
Responding to people who brought up her own career choices, Dimple said not every female actor gets roles that fully show their talent. She emphasised that some actors spend years working within the limits of the characters written for them, and argued that it was unfair to place the entire burden on a female lead when the shortcomings come from the writing.
The actor highlighted that the conversation should move away from making individuals the target and instead look at what can be done in future filmmaking and in creating better-written female characters and leads.
"But one thing to remember, not every female actor is fortunate enough to receive roles that fully showcase their abilities. Sometimes they have to spend years working within the limitations of the characters they are offered or written for them. It’s not about who has come from where and who’s who big or small or who is less over who; it’s only spoken and unfair to place the entire burden on a female lead actor when the shortcomings clearly stem from the writing (sic)," Dimple went on.
"That said, the conversations should perhaps be less about individual targets and learn more about what to be done in the future, coming in filmmaking and well-written female characters or leads as well (sic)," the 27-year-old concluded.
Stereotypes in hero-centric cinema
Dimple spoke out against the industry's habit of penalising performers for flawed scripts, stating, "don't blame the actress blame the system and makers who really think that’s what sells (sic)." She argued that performers must work within the limited opportunities they receive while hoping to reach wider audiences.
She further highlighted how industry practices restrict women on screen, adding, "Unfortunately, we are stereotyped by image...without getting the opportunity to showcase our full potential to perform, whereas when the hero-centred stories take over, the liberty to project (sic)."
Peddi director Buchi Babu addresses criticism
Peddi has been under fire since its release, with many viewers criticising the film’s portrayal of women and the hypersexualisation of Janhvi Kapoor’s character. On Saturday, director Buchi Babu Sana addressed the criticism in a statement. He wrote, ‘As a filmmaker, I believe cinema should entertain, inspire, and connect with audiences. It should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected.’
The director said he respected the reactions of those who were upset by parts of the film and apologised to viewers who felt uncomfortable. He said, ‘If any part of the film has been perceived that way, we respect those sentiments, understand the concerns being raised, and sincerely apologise.’ He also said cinema evolves with audiences and that storytellers must stay aware of changing perspectives and sensitivities.
Peddi also features actors Ram Charan, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyendu, Boman Irani and Ravi Kishan in key roles.
The film theatrically released on June 4, 2026.
