Buchi Babu Sana and Janhvi Kapoor (Pictures via Instagram)
Director Buchi Babu Sana has responded to the criticism surrounding the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor's character in Peddi, acknowledging audience concerns and promising changes to the film. The filmmaker issued an apology after several viewers and critics accused the movie of objectifying Janhvi's character, Achiyyamma, particularly during the film's romantic track.
Following the backlash, Buchi Babu admitted that he had not expected audiences to react so strongly to certain scenes. Speaking about the controversy, he said, "I had not anticipated that the scenes would be perceived so negatively by audiences." The director explained that his intention was to portray a light-hearted and playful romance between the lead characters, but accepted that the execution did not resonate with many viewers.
Addressing the criticism directly, Buchi Babu assured fans that the team would take corrective measures. "We'll be more careful and make better representations," he said, adding that the feedback has encouraged him to rethink how female characters are written and presented in future projects.
The controversy erupted soon after Peddi hit theatres, with social media users calling out several scenes involving Achiyyamma. Many viewers felt that the character lacked depth and was often reduced to visual appeal rather than being given a meaningful role within the narrative. Critics also questioned aspects of the romance track, arguing that some moments appeared to blur the lines of consent and agency.
The debate gained further momentum when an old interview of Janhvi Kapoor resurfaced online. In the interview, the actress had spoken about the importance of consent and her discomfort with the objectification of women in cinema. Her comments were widely shared amid the ongoing discussion surrounding Peddi.
Adding to the speculation, Janhvi briefly liked a social media post that criticized the treatment of her character in the film before later removing the interaction. The move sparked conversations among fans about whether she agreed with the criticism being directed at the movie.
Despite the controversy, Buchi Babu's public acknowledgment of the issue and his willingness to revisit the film's portrayal of women have been viewed as a significant response. The director reiterated that every woman deserves respect and emphasized that lessons from the backlash would influence future storytelling decisions.
