Janhvi Kapoor calls Peddi ‘extreme objectification’ on Koffee with Karan, reviving Ram Charan film’s controversies

Janhvi Kapoor has spoken candidly about the backlash over her role in Ram Charan’s Peddi, describing parts of the film as “extreme objectification” and admitting she should have been more careful. Her comments, made on the current ninth season of Karan Johar’s chat show Koffee with Karan and widely reported on Wednesday, 28 October, have put the Telugu sports drama back in the headlines nearly five months after it reached cinemas.

What Janhvi said

According to India Weekly, Janhvi said the experience had felt violating “in a way” and that the film’s effect on audiences, especially women, weighed on her conscience. She said she should have used her position to ask more questions, and pointed out that actors in South Indian productions are not always shown scripts or camera set-ups in advance. “Could I have been more vigilant? 100% yes,” she said, as quoted by WION, adding that her responsibility now was to make sure it does not happen again.

WION reported that Varun Dhawan was her co-guest on the episode. India Weekly did not name a co-guest, and neither outlet gave an air date. The reports we read also do not tie her remark to one particular song; the “objectification” criticism has largely centred on how her character, Achiyamma, was framed on camera and on a scene in which Ram Charan’s character kisses her without consent.

How the row began

Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, Peddi was released in theatres on Thursday, 4 June 2026, and began streaming on Netflix on 9 July. Soon after release, viewers and women’s groups objected to close-ups and camera angles that, critics said, focused on Achiyamma’s body rather than her character. Gulf News reported on 9 June that other film personalities, including Kareena Kapoor Khan, joined the wider debate, with Kareena saying sensuality on screen “has nothing to do with” revealing clothes.

Buchi Babu Sana apologised on X, writing that the team had never meant to objectify or disrespect any female character, and said the scenes in question would be changed. Reports say some edits were made to the theatrical version.

Before release, in an interview with senior journalist Navika Kumar reported by M9 News on 31 May, Ram Charan was asked about criticism of the lyrics of the film’s newly launched special song. He played it down, saying in Telugu that nothing of that sort had even reached the team. M9 News added that Janhvi too had said at the time that there was no such issue, a stance that contrasts with her latest remarks.

Complaints from tribal groups

A separate dispute surfaced around 8 and 9 June. Siasat and M9 News reported that several Adivasi organisations in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram and Manyam districts approached the district collector and police, alleging that certain dialogues and character references in the film were derogatory towards tribal communities. M9 News said one scene drew particular attention: after the forced kiss, the hero reportedly justifies his behaviour by citing his lack of education and tribal background.

The groups sought cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the director and producers, and questioned how the Central Board of Film Certification had cleared the film. Neither report said a case had been registered, and the makers had not responded to those allegations at the time of publication. We found no later update on the complaints.

The makers have not, so far as we could find, responded to Janhvi’s latest comments.

Sources

• India Weekly: Janhvi Kapoor calls Peddi ‘extreme objectification’ on Koffee with Karan
• WION: Janhvi Kapoor breaks silence on Peddi controversy
• Telugu360: Janhvi Kapoor says Peddi was extreme objectification
• Gulf News: From Jaya Bachchan to Kareena Kapoor, Bollywood stars speak out on objectification amid Peddi row
• M9 News: Ram Charan clarifies Peddi vulgarity controversy claim
• Siasat: Ram Charan’s Peddi faces new row over alleged insult to tribal communities
• M9 News: Peddi tribal controversy erupts after Janhvi backlash
• Wikipedia: Peddi (release and streaming dates)