Every time an actress steps in front of a camera in India, her achievements are rarely the only thing under scrutiny. For years, the entertainment industry has cashed in on the objectification of women, and the recently released Peddi is proof of just that.
The controversy surrounding the film Peddi, starring Janhvi Kapoor, has dug out a scar in Indian cinema that refuses to heal: why does Indian cinema still look at women as mere objects?
What’s the Peddi Controversy?
Shortly after the release of Peddi, starring Janhvi Kapoor and Ram Charan, several clips featuring the actress’s character started receiving backlash. And this backlash seems earned. Achiyamma, Janhvi’s character in the movie, is introduced to the audience with a close-up shot of her navel.
Along with this, several other scenes in the movie seem to have made audiences uncomfortable due to the extent of the actress’s objectification. The film features multiple shots focusing on Janhvi’s waist, chest, and navel, leaving viewers wondering whether that was the character’s entire purpose in the story.
Amid all this, some screenshots of Janhvi’s chats went viral, in which the actress mentioned denying zoom-in shots of herself in the movie. One of the texts sent by the actress read, “I told him no b**b and waist shots,” while also adding, “You have no idea what I’ve been dealing with. Trying to make them understand.”
Screenshots from a conversation between #JanhviKapoor and @janhvi_kapoor_slays. According to Janhvi, she expressed discomfort over certain camera angles and had to ask for those shots to be removed multiple times. Boundaries deserve respect! pic.twitter.com/u0XiJITrXT
— Rehma Khan☆ (@lifelinejanhvi) June 6, 2026
Several users on social media took to these platforms to talk about the issue. One Instagram user wrote, “What’s wrong with mainstream Indian movies nowadays? Are we not going to see any female roles that make sense any time soon?”
Another asked, “I don’t understand the thought process of showing her this way. Even if it’s some sort of fashion trend, why aren’t the other women dressed the same way? Why is only Janhvi Kapoor portrayed in such a weird manner?”
The backlash soon grew so loud that the film’s makers had to respond. Director Buchi Babu Sana took to X (formerly Twitter) to issue a public apology. He wrote, “As a filmmaker, I believe cinema should entertain, inspire, and connect with audiences. It should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected. We have heard the feedback regarding certain scenes in Peddi and have taken it seriously.
I have always had immense respect for women, both on and off screen, and it was never our intention to objectify or disrespect any female character. If any part of the film has been perceived that way, we respect those sentiments, understand the concerns being raised, and sincerely apologise.”
As a filmmaker, I believe cinema should entertain, inspire, and connect with audiences. It should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected. We have heard the feedback regarding certain scenes in Peddi and have taken it seriously.
I have always had immense respect for…
— BuchiBabuSana (@BuchiBabuSana) June 6, 2026
Amid the row, several Bollywood personalities stepped forward to express their views. Speaking of her own experience, actress Jaya Bachchan revealed in an interview with the Deccan Chronicle, “Nobody ever dared to cross the line with me. I had only one unpleasant experience of being objectified by the director. I never worked with him again.”
Kareena Kapoor, too, maintained her stance on the debate. She said, “I believe being sensual on screen has nothing to do with wearing revealing clothes or being objectified.”
However, as the discussion around Peddi continues to grow, perhaps it’s time to address the issue that the Indian entertainment industry has been burying for years. This movie might be one of the latest examples of how the entertainment industry treats women, but it is definitely not the first of its kind.
Read More: Neetu Kapoor: You Just Spoke Like A True Entitled, Privileged Snob
India’s Obsession with Objectifying Women
For years, Indian cinema has relied on views gained through inappropriate attention to women’s bodies. Be it in the form of compromised camera angles or lyrics that unabashedly describe women as objects, the industry has definitely never left a stone unturned when it comes to reducing women to mere eye candy.
What’s even worse is how the media amplifies all this. Every other day, the internet is flooded with videos of actresses urging cameramen to refrain from filming them inappropriately. Their requests, however, are rarely paid heed to.
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In most of these cases, it’s usually the actresses who end up bearing the blame for a culture they did not create. Instead of questioning the uncomfortable camera angles, media coverage, or filmmakers’ decisions, criticism usually falls on the female actors for their choice of clothing or their acceptance of a certain role. Songs like “Gandi Baat”, “Sheila Ki Jawani”, and “Munni Badnaam Hui” are only a few examples.
Actress Triptii Dimri faced a similar situation after the release of Animal in 2023. A major portion of the criticism fell on the actress rather than on the choices made by the film’s director. And just like that, several “item” songs or movies that earn millions of views are often based on lyrics or scenes objectifying a woman’s body.
What The Women Think
During one of her interviews, actress Taapsee Pannu addressed the obsession Indian cinema has with certain body parts of a woman. Pannu said, “I am also trying to understand. It’s not that item songs in Hindi cinema don’t focus on it, but it’s not as much as in South Cinema. Hindi cinema is more about cleavage.”
Adding on to the gravity of the matter, Taapsee also explained, “Imagine how embarrassing it would be. You’re shooting a song, someone gets up in the middle, walks off, everyone knows exactly what’s happening. All the men are sitting there, watching what looks different when you come back.”
Singer Sona Mohapatra addressed the Peddi backlash in a video on Instagram. Addressing the backlash received by Peddi, singer Sona Mohapatra said in an Instagram post, “The hero always lives a dignified life. And the heroine is just an extension of that story. Decoration to be sexualized, objectified. Toxic masculinity is called romance in such films.”
Further, Sona added, “Disrespect becomes swagger. Some slow-motion shots, some strategic camera angles… We know the deal”, explaining how “misogyny wins at the box office”.
Talking about the cause of this constant objectification of women prevalent in Indian cinema, Nithya Menen said, “I feel the root of the problem lies in the hyper-commercialization of cinema. Whatever works commercially and titillates the audience is often indulged in for mass success.”
She further pondered, “I wonder if actors should actually have better boundaries and the person who’s performing the scene should be able to put their foot down and say they are not okay with being objectified.”
The controversy around Peddi might be one of the many debates that might eventually fade, but the questions it has raised have persisted in Indian cinema for years. Amid all these instances and discussions, Indian cinema faces a stern choice: continue treating female characters as objects or finally start writing stories that live up to the worth women actually deserve.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: The Print, The Indian Express, Firstpost
Find the blogger: @shubhangichoudhary_29
This post is tagged under: Peddi, Peddi Controversy, Janhvi Kapoor, Ram Charan, Buchi Babu Sana, Indian Cinema, Bollywood, Objectification Of Women, Women In Cinema, Gender Equality, Feminism, Entertainment Industry, Triptii Dimri, Animal, Taapsee Pannu, Sona Mohapatra, Nithya Menen, Media Ethics, Celebrity Culture, Indian Media, Pop Culture, Women’s Rights, Social Issues, Film Industry, Viral News, Trending News, Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Gender Issues, Misogyny In Cinema, Male Gaze
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