Janhvi Kapoor's hypersexualisation in Peddi sparks outrage, internet is appalled

Ever since Peddi released in theatres on June 4, the sports drama has found itself at the centre of an online debate not just for its scale, but for the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor’s character, Achiyyamma. Viewers on social media have accused the film of "hypersexualising" and "objectifying" the female lead, with criticism also directed at director Buchi Babu Sana and lead actor Ram Charan over how the character has been written and presented on screen.

The backlash is centred on scenes that users say reduce Achiyyamma to an object of desire and give her little agency in the story. Some posts have also blamed Janhvi Kapoor for agreeing to the role. As the criticism grew, an older clip from her April interview on Raj Shamani’s podcast began circulating again, in which she spoke about 'oversexualisation" and the importance of consent.

Several users said the problem lies in the way the character had been conceived on screen. One user wrote that “the heroine deserved a character” but instead got “a string of vulgar, degrading, objectifying scenes stitched together and called a role”. Another said, “It’s high time they stop sexualising heroines in films. Literally there’s a scene where hero describes her face but they show her waist and chest.”

A third post pointed to a scene in which Ram Charan’s character praises Janhvi Kapoor’s eyes and lips, but the camera cuts to her chest and waist instead, asking, “To Editor, are you really that clueless that you don’t know what eyes and lips are?”

Some of the criticism was directed at Janhvi Kapoor herself. One X user wrote that she had delivered “20+ disaster” films, could not act or dance well, and yet kept getting cast, adding that it was irritating to see her in “every 2nd movie”.

Another user, in a post containing personal remarks about her appearance, wrote in Hindi that the issue was not South cinema or Bollywood, but that Janhvi lacked acting skill and variation, and asked how “1000 crore box office nonsense” would happen if films showed better content.

Another post said, “Completely agree. High time actresses put their foot down. #JanhviKapoor needs to learn from this experience.” A reply added, “It’s a two way street. Makers need to stop writing such lazy roles, and actresses like Janhvi need to put their foot down. She deserves better, but she has to demand better first.”

Specific scenes from the film were also singled out. One social media user called a scene “disgusting” and wrote, “A goon undresses #JanhviKapoor in public to shame her amid election campaign. #Dibyendu starts laughing, enjoying. #RamCharan is sexually lusting over her all the time and is called the hero of the village. He beats the pulp out of those goons. Crap level sexual objectifying elements, disaster portrayal heroism (sic).”

Another X user criticised Buchi Babu Sana and wrote, “I don’t care if heroine beauty is shown or how she walks but my biggest issue in the movie was how Hero RC abuses heroine and she falls in love for that. Sorry Buchi Babu Sana, I’ll oppose the movie strongly. It’s simply not acceptable.”

A social media user wrote that he pitied Janhvi.

The film also stars Boman Irani, Divyenndu and Jagapathi Babu.

Amid the backlash, an old clip from Janhvi Kapoor’s interview on Raj Shamani’s podcast went viral again. When asked whether it affects her when filmmakers oversexualise her, she said it depends on what she has consented to. “I think at any and every stage, it’s important to ask yourself, what did I consent to? So, for example, I did a song called Bheegi Saree (in Param Sundari) where I’m in a wet saree, and I’m dancing pretty sensually," she said.

She added, "The idea for that was, I wouldn’t say to titillate, but it was a sensual song. I think if someone looked at that and said, I’m not attracted to this chick, I would feel maybe offended. But that’s very different from sexualising someone, especially without their consent. That, in any and every form, I’m not okay with. And that does bother me.”

With Peddi continuing its theatrical run, the online debate has remained focused on Achiyyamma’s portrayal, the writing of her role, and the wider question of where filmmakers draw the line between sensuality and sexualisation.