The debate surrounding the portrayal of women in Peddi continues to intensify, with singer Sumangaly Ariyanayagam becoming the latest public figure to speak out against the film’s treatment of Janhvi Kapoor’s character.
The controversy began shortly after the release of the Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor starrer, when several social media users criticised the film for allegedly hypersexualising Janhvi’s character, Achiyamma. The discussion gained momentum after Janhvi herself appeared to endorse the criticism by liking an Instagram post that questioned the character’s portrayal and the creative choices made by the filmmakers.
The post, shared by the Instagram page Recommendation Community, accused the makers of reducing a potentially meaningful female character to little more than a visual attraction despite the film’s broader themes. It argued that while Peddi explores issues of power, oppression and identity, it fails to extend the same dignity and depth to its leading woman.
Adding her voice to the conversation, singer Sumangaly Ariyanayagam reshared the post on her Instagram Stories and strongly criticised the filmmakers for what she described as the objectification of Janhvi’s character.
In a sharply worded statement, Sumangaly questioned how a film dealing with themes of injustice could simultaneously deny its female lead the agency and respect afforded to its male characters. She suggested that the makers were fully aware of the concept of human dignity but chose not to extend it to Janhvi’s character within the narrative.
Her remarks have resonated with many social media users, further fuelling discussions about the representation of women in mainstream commercial cinema and the responsibility filmmakers bear when crafting female characters.
The original post that sparked the controversy described Peddi as “the most expensive disrespect ever paid to a leading woman in Indian cinema.” It highlighted the irony of a film reportedly mounted on a massive ₹350 crore budget discussing the denial of identity and humanity while allegedly reducing its female protagonist to a decorative presence.
The post also referenced reports suggesting that Janhvi Kapoor had raised concerns about certain scenes during post-production. According to the claims, the actor reportedly objected to visuals that she felt contributed to the oversexualisation of her character. However, the footage was allegedly retained in the final cut despite her reservations.
While neither the filmmakers nor the production team have publicly responded to the criticism, the controversy has reignited conversations about consent, creative authority and the portrayal of women in Indian cinema. Many viewers have argued that female characters deserve greater narrative depth and agency, especially in films that claim to tackle serious social themes.
As the debate continues online, Janhvi Kapoor’s apparent support for the criticism and Sumangaly Ariyanayagam’s public backing have brought renewed attention to the issue, turning Peddi into one of the most discussed films in recent weeks not only for its box office performance but also for the questions it has raised about gender representation on screen.
