‘I told him no waist shots’:Janhvi Kapoor unhappy with Ram Charan’s kissing her in Peddi; alleged chats emerge; director reacts

Janhvi Kapoor’s role in Peddi has drawn criticism from audiences, with many accusing the makers of unnecessarily sexualising her character. Several viewers have objected to what they describe as excessive focus on the actor’s midriff, revealing outfits and repeated close-up shots of her body.

The controversy has intensified following criticism of a scene in which Ram Charan’s character kisses Janhvi Kapoor’s character without her consent, with many social media users questioning the portrayal and its implications. As the backlash continues to grow, the film’s handling of female characters has come under increased scrutiny.

Amid the criticism, Peddi director Buchi Babu Sana issued a statement on X on Saturday, announcing that certain changes would be made to the version currently running in cinemas. He also apologised to audiences, acknowledging the concerns raised following the film’s release.

Amid the growing controversy surrounding Peddi, director Buchi Babu Sana has issued a public apology and announced that changes will be made to the film currently running in theatres.

In a statement shared on X, the filmmaker acknowledged the criticism regarding the portrayal of women in the film and said the feedback from audiences had been taken seriously.

“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,” the statement read.

He further added, “After reviewing the feedback, we have decided to make changes to the concerned portions. Cinema grows through its connection with audiences, and as storytellers, we have a responsibility to be mindful of evolving perspectives and sensitivities.”

The apology comes after Peddi faced backlash from a section of viewers who criticised the film for allegedly sexualising Janhvi Kapoor’s character through repeated close-up shots and camera angles focusing on her body. The controversy intensified after audiences also raised concerns over a scene in which Ram Charan’s character kisses Janhvi’s character without her consent.

Janhvi Kapoor flags concerns about her Peddi role? Leaked chats go viral

As the debate around Peddi continues, fan clubs of Janhvi Kapoor have shared screenshots of alleged private conversations that appear to show the actor raising concerns about the filming of certain scenes long before the film’s release.

The screenshots surfaced shortly after Buchi Babu Sana’s apology and have reignited discussions about how the female lead was portrayed on screen.

According to the screenshots being circulated online, Janhvi repeatedly objected to specific camera angles used while filming scenes featuring her character. In one of the most widely shared messages, reportedly dated October 30, the actor allegedly wrote, “I told him no b**b and waist shots (sic).”

In the same conversation, she reportedly claimed that co-star Ram Charan supported her concerns.

“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 (sic),” the message read.

The alleged chats suggest that concerns regarding the visual portrayal of her character may have been discussed internally during production and were reportedly directed at director Buchi Babu Sana.

In another message, Janhvi allegedly described the issue as part of a broader pattern within the industry, writing, “It keeps happening in the south (sic).”

The conversation reportedly continued when fans compared the situation to criticism faced by Kiara Advani in Game Changer. Responding to the comparison, Janhvi allegedly wrote, “No, in this what they were taking was worse. But Ram sir said no way, stop (sic).”

The screenshots also touched on questions of consent and creative control. In one exchange, the actor allegedly expressed frustration over her attempts to communicate her concerns, writing, “You have no idea what I’ve been dealing with. Trying to make them understand (sic).”

She also reportedly discussed the presence of actors’ parents on film sets, citing actor Sreeleela as an example. Janhvi allegedly remarked that if her father, producer Boney Kapoor, were to visit her sets, matters could become “extreme.”

Another message reflected her distrust of how scenes might eventually be filmed or edited. Responding to a fan’s warning about body doubles, she allegedly wrote, “Ya I’ve said this, but you know how it is here. They’ll say close up and put camera on your cleavage. U can’t trust anything”

In one message, she reportedly wrote, “No more film. We are done.”

Although the fan clubs have shared screenshots and videos purportedly showing the conversations, neither Janhvi Kapoor nor her representatives have publicly verified the authenticity of the messages.