The recent backlash against Peddi's portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor's character, Achiyyamma, has sparked a conversation about oversexualisation in Bollywood. In a 2023 podcast interview, Janhvi spoke about how she handles filmmakers who oversexualise her, stating that it's essential to ask herself what she consented to.
Janhvi shared an example from her song 'Bheegi Saree' in Param Sundari, where she was in a wet saree and dancing sensually. While she acknowledged that some people might find it titillating, she emphasized that it's different from sexualising someone without their consent, which she is not okay with.
Janhvi also discussed learning to say no to filmmakers who want to shoot her from uncomfortable angles, citing an instance where she politely declined a director's request. She expressed the importance of being polite while making her point clear.
In the same conversation, Janhvi lamented how the audience and filmmakers' perceptions of her affect the professional work she gets. Filmmakers often think a heroine should have modesty, and the first time she's seen in a bikini is on-screen in their film.
During Peddi's promotions, Janhvi spoke about her role, saying she followed the director's unconventional directions. She also pointed out that feedback for her acting should be directed at the director, Buchi Babu Sana, rather than her.
