05 June,2026 05:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Janhvi Kapoor in Peddi. Pic via Instagram
Janhvi Kapoor has been making headlines ever since her recent film, Peddi, with Ram Charan hit theatres on June 4, 2026. Ever since the film hit the screens, fans have been upset over her portrayal in the sports drama and have accused the makers of oversexualising her. Amid the backlash, a video of the actress, in which she addressed this issue and spoke about how oversexualisation affected her, has gone viral.
In April this year, Janhvi Kapoor was seen on Raj Shamani's podcast, where she spoke about being sexualised by paps as well as in films. The actress admitted that the portrayal on screen bothers her.
During the podcast, Janhvi said, "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. 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."
The actress further added, "If a DOP puts a camera in some place that I'm not okay with, I should be able to say, nahi, ye nahi chalega mujhe nahi chahiye (no, I don't want this) without me seeming unprofessional. Dheere, dheere haan. (Yes, slowly). Sometimes I've been polite, and I've been like, I need to pick my battles and I'll fight them. But now, I'm a little bit like, mera jugaad nikaal dungi (I'll find a solution). I'll make my point clear some way or the other, but it's important for me to seem polite."
For the unversed, many are calling Janhvi Kapoor's introduction scene in the film highly problematic. Ram Charan's character, Peddi, allegedly objectifies her while describing her physical appearance, which many believed to be extremely derogatory. In a scene later, when a supporting character asks him about how he will recognise Janhvi, he says, "Chehra dekh kar nahi, kamariya se phechan lenge. (I can recognise her from her waist)" He even allegedly says, "Uss chikri ka hume sab kuch pata hai bas chehra chod ke (I remember every bit of that lady other than her face)."
Further in the film, Peddi visits Janhvi's house at night and forcibly kisses her. Although Janhvi expresses objection to it repeatedly, Peddi justifies it, saying it was his way of expressing love. Netizens have slammed the objectification of Janhvi Kapoor's character in the film.
