Actor Nithya Menen has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the portrayal of women in films, stating that objectification of women is not unique to South Indian cinema but a wider trend across the film industry.
In an interview with Variety India, Nithya said that the root of the issue lies in the 'hyper-commercialisation' of cinema, where whatever works commercially and titillates the audience is often indulged in for mass success.
She added that performers are not necessarily powerless in such situations and can assert themselves, saying 'If you have been doing this kind of commercial cinema and suddenly you are not okay with it, you may not be taken seriously. I also don’t believe that you end up helpless in a situation.'
Nithya's comments come in the wake of the backlash against Peddi for allegedly hypersexualising Janhvi Kapoor's character, Achiyyamma, in the film. Director Buchi Babu Sana has since apologised for any offence caused and modified the scenes that drew criticism.
