Entertainment
-Oneindia English Desk
Telugu sports drama Peddi is drawing sharp online criticism, with many viewers unhappy about Janhvi Kapoor’s role. Social media posts accuse the film of hypersexualising the character Achiyyamma and limiting narrative importance. While several users praise other aspects of the movie, they argue Janhvi Kapoor receives little depth beyond visual appeal.
Directed by Buchi Babu Sana and starring Ram Charan, Peddi released in cinemas on Thursday. Janhvi Kapoor plays Achiyyamma, opposite Ram Charan’s lead character. The film also features Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu and Divyendu Sharma. A. R. Rahman provides the background score, with R. Ratnavelu handling cinematography and Navin Nooli editing.
Telugu sports drama ‘Peddi’, directed by Buchi Babu Sana and starring Janhvi Kapoor as Achiyyamma, is drawing sharp online criticism for hypersexualizing the character and limiting her narrative importance.
Peddi and Janhvi Kapoor face online criticism
One X user objected to what was described as extensive focus on Janhvi Kapoor’s body through framing. The post claimed her presence centred more on appearance than character development or story value. That user questioned how specific close-up shots were cleared, and why an actor of Janhvi Kapoor’s stature accepted them.
The post read, “The movie is too over the top, over the top acting, music and what not but the most awful thing is Portrayal of Jhanvi Kapoor. The Most Disgusting, Shameless thing. How did makers approved the close up scenes of Naval and Chest, it’s Absurd. How did Jhanvi Kapoor Allowed these shots in first stance(sic),” tweeted an user on X.
Another X account shared a clip of Janhvi Kapoor from Peddi, arguing that the film wasted the role. The user felt the character was poorly imagined and underwritten. According to the post, the performance potential was lost because the script mainly treated Janhvi Kapoor as decorative support.
Some viewers balanced criticism with praise, describing Peddi as engaging overall. However, they singled out the romantic track between Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor as a weak link. One user wrote that the love story reduced Achiyyamma to a visual object, affecting the emotional impact of the main narrative.
Peddi and Janhvi Kapoor draw responses from public figures
Singer Sumangaly Ariyanayagam publicly criticised the portrayal of Achiyamma in Peddi through an Instagram story on Friday. Sumangaly argued that the film explored the pain of powerlessness, yet denied Janhvi Kapoor’s character the same respect. The singer accused the makers of treating Achiyamma as a cinematic device rather than a full person.
In her Instagram story, Sumangaly wrote, “A room full of powerful men sat down to write a story about the trauma of being powerless. In the same breath, they turned Janhvi Kapoor’s character into a body for the lens, a prop for a forced kiss, and a tool to be thrown away when the songs ended.”
She ended the post by saying, “They knew exactly what human dignity meant. They just decided she didn’t deserve it (sic).” Sumangaly’s comments added to an already growing discussion. Many users echoed similar points, arguing that the movie understood vulnerability, yet sidelined Janhvi Kapoor’s character arc.
Another widely shared post on X focused on the narrative weight given to Achiyyamma. The user claimed that Janhvi Kapoor’s track neither influenced major plot turns nor showed inner life. The post stated, “#Peddi wastes Janhvi Kapoor’s character, giving her little scope or relevance to the narrative,” suggesting repeated pattern in recent roles.
Peddi makers and Janhvi Kapoor casting choices
Debate around Peddi and Janhvi Kapoor has also revived interest in earlier casting decisions. During film promotions, director Buchi Babu Sana revealed that Khushi Kapoor was first approached for Achiyyamma. Buchi Babu Sana narrated the character to Khushi Kapoor initially, before reconsidering the choice after a later meeting.
The director explained that Khushi Kapoor seemed “too young” for the part once they met in person. Following that meeting, the team turned to Janhvi Kapoor for the same role. Viewers now questioning the portrayal are also looking back at this decision, comparing what the part required with what reached the screen.
Peddi is presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings, bringing together a large ensemble. Alongside Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, key roles go to Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu and Divyendu Sharma. The technical crew includes high-profile names, highlighted by A. R. Rahman’s music and R. Ratnavelu’s visual design.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Film | Peddi (Telugu-language sports drama) |
| Lead cast | Ram Charan, Janhvi Kapoor |
| Director | Buchi Babu Sana |
| Production | Mythri Movie Makers, Sukumar Writings |
| Supporting cast | Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyendu Sharma |
| Music | A. R. Rahman |
| Cinematography | R. Ratnavelu |
| Editing | Navin Nooli |
Janhvi Kapoor’s participation in Peddi follows the Telugu project Devara, co-starring Jr NTR. Some X users questioned Janhvi Kapoor’s recent choices, arguing that Peddi again offered limited space. They suggested that the actor’s skills were not fully used, as Achiyyamma mostly supported others’ arcs through songs and romantic scenes.
Peddi’s release has therefore opened two parallel conversations for audiences. Viewers are assessing the film’s sports drama elements while also debating the ethics of Achiyyamma’s portrayal. As discussions continue, many critics and fans agree that Janhvi Kapoor’s character design and screen treatment remain central to the controversy.
