Hyderabad: As ‘Peddi’ faces criticism from a section of viewers for allegedly objectifying its female lead, Janhvi Kapoor’s earlier remarks about pushing back against filmmakers who tried to oversexualise her on screen have resurfaced, sparking fresh debate about the portrayal of women in mainstream cinema.
Months before ‘Peddi’ landed in controversy over its portrayal of women, Janhvi revealed that she has turned down scenes and projects that made her uncomfortable, stressing the importance of maintaining her boundaries.
After the release of the film, both director Buchi Babu Sana and lead actor Ram Charan drew flak for objectifying Janhvi’s character, ‘Achiyyamma’ in the film.
A section of the audience even blamed Janhvi for agreeing to take up the role.
In April, during her appearance on Raj Shamani’s podcast, Janhvi was asked if it affects her when filmmakers oversexualise her. “I think at any and every stage, it’s important to ask yourself, what did I consent to? So, for example, I did a song called Bheegi Saree (in Param Sundari) where I’m in a wet saree, and I’m dancing pretty sensually. The idea for that was, I wouldn’t say to titillate, but it was a sensual song. I think if someone looked at that and said, I’m not attracted to this chick, I would feel maybe offended. But that’s very different from sexualising someone, especially without their consent. That, in any and every form, I’m not okay with. And that does bother me.”
Janhvi also shared that she is gradually becoming more comfortable asserting her boundaries and saying no to filmmakers who want to shoot her in ways that make her feel uncomfortable.
“If a DOP puts a camera on some place that I’m not okay with, I should be able to say, nahi, ye nahi chalega mujhe nahi chahiye (no, I don’t want this) without me seeming unprofessional. Dheere, dheere haan. (Yes, slowly). Sometimes I’ve been polite, and I’ve been like, I need to pick my battles and I’ll fight them. But now, I’m a little bit like, mera jugaad nikaal dungi (I’ll find a solution). I’ll make my point clear some way or the other, but it’s important for me to seem polite,” she added.
In the same conversation, Janhvi admitted that the way audiences and filmmakers perceive her often influences the kind of roles that come her way.
She observed that some filmmakers prefer to present a heroine as modest and reserved, making her first on-screen appearance in a bikini a significant reveal within their film.
Janhvi also noted that casting decisions and offers are frequently shaped by what filmmakers believe audiences want to see from her.
Speaking about her role in ‘Peddi’, during the film’s promotions in Mumbai, Janhvi said, “I have only gone on his (Buchi Babu Sana) conviction, to be very honest. Ye mujhe hatke directions dete the ki jeeb ke saath ye karo, skirt ke saath ye karo, aise baath karo. Ye character ka jo andaaz hai, vo tevar hai, vo bohot hatke hai, bothot atrangi hai. (He used to give me out-of-the-box directions to move my tongue like this or skirt like that and talk like this. This character’s mannerisms are unique and colourful).”
Pointing at a reviewer, she said, “When you review the film. Jo bhi maine kiya, aap inka naam lijiye. (Take his name while talking about my acting).”
