Hyderabad: Director Buchi Babu Sana has addressed the growing criticism surrounding the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor’s character in the recently released sports drama Peddi, acknowledging that certain scenes did not resonate with audiences as intended.
The film, headlined by Ram Charan and featuring Janhvi Kapoor in a leading role, opened strongly at the box office but has simultaneously sparked debate on social media over the depiction of its female protagonist, Achiyyamma.
Responding to the backlash, Buchi Babu Sana admitted that he had not anticipated the negative reaction and said he would be more mindful of female representation in future projects.
Director admits scenes did not work as intended
In an interview following the film’s release, Buchi Babu Sana said the criticism had prompted reflection on how certain portions of the film were received by viewers.
According to the filmmaker, the intention behind the romantic track between Peddi and Achiyyamma was to portray a light-hearted and playful love story. However, he acknowledged that the execution failed to connect with audiences in the manner he had envisioned.
“I had not anticipated that the scenes would be perceived so negatively by audiences,” he said.
Explaining his creative approach, the director stated that the romance was designed to add charm and emotional depth to the narrative rather than reduce the female lead to a supporting element.
“The idea was to showcase a playful romance story between Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor,” he said.
At the same time, he accepted the criticism and indicated that future projects would feature more thoughtful representation of women characters.
“We’ll be more careful and make better representations,” he added.
Why audiences criticised Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal
Much of the criticism has centred on allegations that Janhvi Kapoor’s character was objectified and not given sufficient agency within the story.
Several viewers pointed to scenes in which Peddi compliments Achiyyamma’s facial features, while the camera reportedly focuses on other parts of her body. Critics argued that such visual choices undermined the character and shifted attention away from her personality.
Another sequence that attracted criticism involved a public confrontation in which a male character insults Achiyyamma. Some viewers questioned how the scene was written and argued that it reinforced outdated portrayals of women in mainstream cinema.
Social media platforms have seen extensive discussion about these moments, with many users calling for stronger and more nuanced female characters in commercial films.
The debate has also reignited broader conversations about gender representation and the portrayal of women in Indian cinema.
Not the first controversy for the filmmaker
This is not the first time Buchi Babu Sana’s work has faced scrutiny over gender-related themes.
His debut film, Uppena, which starred Krithi Shetty, received praise for its commercial success but also attracted criticism from some sections of the audience regarding the portrayal of romance and the hero’s pursuit of the female lead.
While those discussions did not significantly impact the film’s performance, they contributed to ongoing debates about storytelling conventions in mainstream cinema.
Industry observers note that audience expectations regarding gender representation have evolved considerably in recent years, leading filmmakers to face greater scrutiny over how female characters are written and portrayed.
Peddi records a massive opening
Despite the controversy, Peddi has emerged as one of the biggest commercial successes of the year.
The film reportedly collected ₹69.50 crore across India on its opening day, including preview screenings, making it the highest-opening Telugu film of 2026 so far.
The Telugu version accounted for the majority of the collections, while the Hindi, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam versions contributed additional revenue.
The strong opening reflects the significant anticipation surrounding the project, particularly due to Ram Charan’s star power and the film’s large-scale production values.
About the film
Peddi revolves around villages struggling for recognition and identity. Ram Charan plays the titular character, a cricketer-for-hire whose personal journey forms the emotional backbone of the story.
Janhvi Kapoor portrays Achiyyamma, Peddi’s love interest, while the ensemble cast includes Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyenndu, Vijay Sethupathi, Boman Irani and Prakash Raj in key roles.
The film combines sports, drama and social themes, with cricket serving as an important narrative element.
Conclusion
While Peddi has enjoyed a blockbuster opening at the box office, the discussion surrounding Janhvi Kapoor’s character has become one of the film’s most talked-about aspects. Buchi Babu Sana’s acknowledgement of the criticism and his commitment to improving female representation in future projects may help address some concerns, but the debate has once again highlighted changing audience expectations regarding gender portrayals in contemporary cinema.