Janhvi Kapoor Faces Criticism Over Objectification in 'Peddi'

The release of 'Peddi' has ignited controversy surrounding Janhvi Kapoor's portrayal in the film, leading to public outrage over perceived objectification. Director Buchi Babu Sana has vowed to make edits to the film following the backlash. Makeup artist Savleen Manchanda has defended Janhvi, criticizing the film's treatment of female characters. As the debate continues, the film's narrative and its implications for women's representation in cinema are under scrutiny. Discover more about the unfolding situation and the director's response to the criticism.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 7, 2026, 08:36 IST

Controversy Surrounds 'Peddi' Release

The recent release of Peddi has thrust Janhvi Kapoor into the spotlight, but not for favorable reasons. Viewers expressed their discontent over the way the actress was depicted in the film. In response to the backlash, director Buchi Babu Sana has committed to revising scenes that portray the female lead inappropriately. Amidst the criticism, Janhvi's makeup artist, Savleen Manchanda, came forward to defend her. While she acknowledged the controversy, she chose not to elaborate further on social media.

Savleen Manchanda's Defense of Janhvi Kapoor

Janhvi Kapoor's makeup artist reacts to backlash

Savleen shared a post highlighting that the film initially focuses heavily on Achiyamma, Janhvi's character. She criticized the film for reducing Janhvi's role to mere physical attributes, stating, “While the film attempts to tell a gritty, socially aware sports drama about marginalized voices, it ultimately objectifies Janhvi's character.”

She further criticized the Telugu film industry for its portrayal of women, noting that the same outdated framing used decades ago has resurfaced, albeit with a modern budget. Savleen pointed out that despite Janhvi's character being a politician's daughter, she lacks depth and disappears from the story once the romantic subplot concludes.

Director Promises Changes to 'Peddi'

Buchi Babu Sana promises to edit Peddi scenes

In light of the criticism, director Buchi Babu Sana announced plans to remove the contentious scenes. He expressed that there was never an intention to disrespect any female character. In his statement, he acknowledged the audience's concerns and apologized for any offense caused. He affirmed, “Every woman deserves respect and dignity in representation. We are dedicated to telling stories that honor strong characters.”

Overview of 'Peddi'

About Peddi

In Peddi, Janhvi portrays Achiyamma, the daughter of a local politician. Although she has not publicly commented on the backlash, reports suggest that the role was initially intended for her younger sister, Khushi Kapoor, who was deemed too young for the part. The film premiered in theaters on June 4 across multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam.