Never Intended To Objectify Women: Peddi Director Promises Re-Edit After Backlash Over Janhvi Kapoor Scenes

Ram Charan’s Peddi has found itself at the centre of a growing debate over its romantic track , with strong backlash erupting online against certain scenes featuring Janhvi Kapoor. What was intended as a playful love story between the lead pair has instead triggered widespread discomfort among viewers, particularly women audiences , who have called out the depiction as problematic and objectifying .

The criticism largely focuses on a sequence where Ram Charan’s character allegedly forcefully kisses Kapoor’s character during a power cut moment, a scene many viewers have described as non-consensual in tone . Social media users also flagged multiple portions where the female lead is introduced through prolonged, lingering camera angles , with accusations that her character is written more as a visual object than a fully developed role with agency . Discussions around “hyper-sexualisation” and lack of narrative depth for the female protagonist quickly gained momentum across platforms.

Adding to the debate, reports and audience reactions also pointed out that the film’s romantic tone often appears to romanticise behaviour that many viewers found uncomfortable, further intensifying criticism of how intimacy has been portrayed on screen.

In response to the backlash, the makers of Peddi have now decided to trim and modify the controversial portions . The move comes after sustained online criticism and growing calls for accountability over how female characters are represented in mainstream cinema.

Director Buchi Babu Sana also addressed the controversy publicly through a post on X, issuing an apology and acknowledging the feedback. He said the team had taken audience concerns seriously and clarified that there was never any intention to objectify or disrespect women in the film.

“As a filmmaker, I believe cinema should entertain, inspire, and connect with audiences. It should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected ,” he wrote, adding that if any sequence has been perceived differently, the team respects those sentiments and sincerely apologises.

He further emphasised that the scenes in question have now been reviewed and changed , noting that filmmaking must evolve with audience sensitivities . “Every woman deserves to be respected, valued, and represented with dignity ,” he added, thanking viewers for their honest feedback.

While Peddi continues to draw attention for its box office buzz and star power, the controversy has shifted focus toward a broader conversation in the industry about consent, representation, and the fine line between cinematic romance and problematic portrayal .