Peddi Row: Janhvi's Make Up Artist Makes SHOCKING Statement; Says 'Director Decided Her Consent Mattered Less'

Sports drama Peddi has drawn heavy scrutiny since its 4 June release, with many viewers accusing the film of hypersexualising Janhvi Kapoor’s character. While criticism of specific scenes continues online, director Buchi Babu Sana has issued an apology, even as the film’s box office performance in India and overseas remains strong.

Peddi, featuring Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor, Boman Irani, Divyenndu and Shiva Rajkumar, has earned ₹126 crore net in India and crossed ₹190 crore worldwide. The reaction to certain scenes involving Janhvi Kapoor, however, has overshadowed much of the commercial discussion, as debates around consent and objectification grow louder on social media platforms.

Peddi criticism and Janhvi Kapoor reactions

Viewers have mainly objected to how Janhvi Kapoor’s character, Achiyyamma, first appears on screen in Peddi. Many posts argue that the introductory sequences linger on Achiyyamma’s body instead of building her personality. Another disputed scene shows Peddi insisting on being with Achiyyamma, ignoring her lack of interest, and later kissing Achiyyamma during a power cut without consent.

Amid this Peddi criticism, Janhvi Kapoor’s make-up artist Savleen Kaur Manchanda has publicly backed the actor. Savleen used Instagram stories to share part of a post that defended Janhvi Kapoor. The shared slide claimed Janhvi Kapoor had objected to some shots in Peddi during the post-production stage, raising questions about final creative decisions.

Peddi criticism, Janhvi Kapoor and behind-the-scenes claims

The Instagram post amplified by Savleen addressed the backlash Janhvi Kapoor faces for choosing the role in Peddi. It stated, "It is easy to blame an actress for the roles she takes, but the actual timeline tells a different story. Reports show that Janhvi Kapoor explicitly questioned these shots during post-production, a boundary that perfectly mirrors her recent public stance against the industry's habit of oversexualizing women."

The same post further alleged that Janhvi Kapoor had raised objections to particular camera angles used in Peddi. It added, "She drew a professional line, but the final edit kept the footage anyway. This isn't a case of an actress failing to stand up for herself. It is a director choosing to ignore a boundary because he decided her consent mattered less than his box office numbers."

Peddi criticism, Janhvi Kapoor messages and director response

Separate from Savleen’s story, several fan-run accounts have circulated screenshots of messages said to be sent by Janhvi Kapoor. These texts, shared after the Peddi criticism intensified, appear to show Janhvi Kapoor repeatedly voicing discomfort over how some scenes were filmed, especially shots she felt focused too much on specific parts of her body.

One widely shared screenshot, dated 30 October, includes a message attributed to Janhvi Kapoor about camera framing in Peddi. The text reads, "I told him no b**b and waist shots. And Ram sir is so sweet he also yelled at him and said you will not take such angles of her ever again. So he got upset," Janhvi wrote. Janhvi Kapoor has not publicly addressed the controversy so far.

Responding to the growing Peddi criticism, Buchi Babu Sana posted an apology on X, acknowledging audience concerns. A portion of the statement said, "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. After reviewing the feedback, we have decided to make changes to the concerned portions." With edits now promised, discussion around Peddi, Janhvi Kapoor and on-screen consent is likely to continue alongside the film’s ongoing theatrical run.