Director Buchi Babu Sana to Edit 'Peddi' Scenes Following Backlash Over Janhvi Kapoor’s Character

The filmmaker has promised to revise the controversial portions of the Ram Charan-starrer after widespread criticism regarding the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor.

The recently released sports drama Peddi has found itself mired in a significant controversy, forcing director Buchi Babu Sana to announce immediate modifications to the film. Despite a record-breaking opening at the box office, the project has faced intense public scrutiny over its depiction of the female lead, played by Janhvi Kapoor. Viewers have taken to social media to call out the film for what many described as the hyper-sexualisation of her character, Achiyyamma, arguing that the camera work and dialogue often reduced the actress to a mere object of visual appeal.

Contentious Portrayals Spark Public Outrage

The backlash primarily centers on the first half of the film, where romantic interactions between the lead characters were perceived by many as problematic. Critics specifically highlighted scenes involving non-consensual advances, including a sequence where the protagonist attempts to kiss the female lead despite her clear objections. Furthermore, viewers expressed discomfort with recurring close-up shots focusing on the actress's waist and midriff, as well as crude dialogues where the male lead describes his attraction to her in derogatory terms. The discourse escalated after eagle-eyed fans noted that Janhvi Kapoor herself appeared to acknowledge the criticism through social media activity, leaving many to wonder about the actress's own stance on the final edit.

A Change of Course from the Filmmaker

In an effort to address the growing unrest, director Buchi Babu Sana issued a formal statement on social media, emphasizing that his intention was never to disrespect or objectify any character. Admitting that the team had been caught off guard by the strength of the negative reaction, he explained in recent interviews that the scenes were originally envisioned as a "playful" romance. However, he conceded that the execution failed to translate as intended and acknowledged the necessity of being more mindful of evolving audience sensitivities.

"Cinema should entertain and inspire, not make anyone feel uncomfortable," the director stated, confirming that the production team is now working to remove or alter the most contentious segments. This decision marks a rare instance where a major production has committed to retroactively editing a film to align with audience feedback, reflecting a broader shift in how filmmakers are being held accountable for the representation of women on screen.

The Broader Impact

While the commercial performance of Peddi—which stands as the highest-opening Telugu film of 2026—remains robust, the controversy has sparked a necessary conversation about the "heroism" tropes common in mainstream cinema. Critics and industry observers point out that this is not the first time the director has faced scrutiny regarding the framing of romantic pursuits. As the industry grapples with these critiques, the move to edit the film serves as a testament to the growing influence of viewer feedback in shaping creative choices in modern Indian cinema. The team has reiterated that they remain committed to celebrating strong characters and ensuring that future representations are handled with the dignity they deserve.