Janhvi Kapoor admitted she should have been more vigilant and challenged the portrayal of her character in Peddi on Karan Johar’s Koffee With Karan 9. Appearing with Varun Dhawan, the actress talked about the Peddi controversy, explaining that she did not anticipate how certain scenes would appear on screen. Janhvi also pointed out the lack of detailed camera angles in South Indian cinema scripts.
Janhvi Kapoor plays Achiyamma opposite Ram Charan in the Telugu movie Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana. While explaining the Peddi controversy, she said she was careful not to absolve herself of responsibility, admitting that she could have spoken up more strongly during production.
Janhvi Kapoor Admits Peddi Scenes Amounted To Extreme Objectification
In the recent episode of Koffee With Karan 9, which aired on October 28, 2026, Karan Johar brought up the Peddi controversy and the backlash surrounding Janhvi’s portrayal.
Karan said that many filmmakers and audiences sympathised with Janhvi over the sexualisation of her character. However, the other half was divided and questioned whether she should have stopped the scenes from being filmed.
Replying to Karan, Janhvi said she was initially apprehensive about the portrayal of her character, but she did not say anything because many people worked hard on the film.
But she also acknowledged that the way a female character is presented on screen can have large consequences.
“It weighs heavily on my conscience, the sort of negative impact a narrative like that can have on our society. Specific to my gender, right? And I think that shame I'll always carry with me,” she said.
Janhvi also directly addressed the criticism about why she did not intervene during the shooting.
“Could I have done more? Could I have been more vigilant? Could I have made a bigger scene? A hundred per cent, yes,” Janhvi said, adding that the portrayal was problematic and was “extreme objectification”.
Janhvi also agreed that the movie, in some way, propagated sexual assault.
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Janhvi Kapoor Points Out The Lack Of Camera Angles In Scripts Could Lead To Deception
Janhvi explained that during the shooting, she was aware of how they were being presented. But she was hesitant to speak up because she felt pressured to follow the director’s instructions in the name of professionalism.
Janhvi said, “I don't like saying this because it sounds like I'm shifting blame. But you know what it's like: you feel like whatever the director says, you have to be professional. You have to listen to the director.”
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She also pointed out the limitations in the scripts she encountered while working in South Indian cinema.
“In the South, very rarely is there a bound script. And very rarely in those scripts do you see where the camera angles are,” she said.
Janhvi clarified that the written material does not always communicate how a scene will appear on the screen. Camera placement and the finished edit can change the sequence, potentially making a character appear differently from what an actor anticipated while shooting it.
However, Janhvi acknowledged that she was finding ways to make the scenes less problematic, but subsequently felt she should have pushed harder.
ALSO READ: Peddi OTT Release: When And Where To Watch Janhvi Kapoor And Ram Charan's Telugu Movie Online?
Janhvi Kapoor: “I Should Have Taken Advantage Of My Privilege”
Janhvi pointed out that she would have taken advantage of her position in the industry and challenged her portrayal during the shooting of the movie.
“I do come from a place of privilege. I should have taken advantage of that because I'm going to get the shit for being privileged anyway. So I might as well have leveraged it,” she said.
Janhvi describes the Peddi controversy as ‘a violating experience in a way’.
But rather than solely putting all the blame on the filmmaker of Peddi, Janhvi said she hoped the controversy would make others reconsider how female leads are depicted.
“The good thing that came out of all this is that maybe tomorrow someone else will think twice before they present a lead actress this way,” she said.
(Image Credit: Instagram @bollywoodcinematicuniverse)
What Sparked The Peddi Controversy?
When Peddi hit the theatres, Janhvi Kapoor faced immense criticism over her character Achiyamma. Viewers focused on scenes in which the male lead’s pursuit of Achiyamma was presented as romance despite her objections.
These reactions prompted wider questions about whether the film’s treatment of the relationship normalised harassment.
Director Buchi Babu Sana responded to the backlash. He posted a public statement on X saying that he had taken audience feedback seriously. He also apologised to viewers who felt uncomfortable or disrespected.
The director said, “After reviewing the feedback, we have decided to make changes to the concerned portions.”
ALSO READ: Peddi Controversy: 5 Shocking Statements Janhvi Kapoor Made On Koffee With Karan 9
Janhvi’s comments on Koffee With Karan 9 add another dimension to the controversy: who is responsible for on-screen objectification of female leads? Her admission does not settle that debate, but it prompts actors, directors, cinematographers, editors and producers to take separate responsibility.
FAQs
Q1. What did Janhvi Kapoor say about Peddi on Koffee With Karan 9?
A2. She admitted she should have been more vigilant about the film’s objectification of her character and spoken up more strongly.
Q2. Why did Janhvi Kapoor say scripts do not show camera angles?
A2. She explained that scripts she encountered in South Indian cinema rarely included camera angles, making it harder to anticipate how scenes would appear on screen.
Q3. What was the controversy surrounding Janhvi Kapoor’s role in Peddi?
Viewers criticised the sexualised portrayal of her character, Achiyamma, and raised concerns about scenes involving consent.