Topics such as hypersexuality, voyeurism, misogyny and the male gaze have become talking points ever since the release of Ram Charan's Peddi on Thursday. Director Buchi Babu Sana's portrayal of the film's female lead, Janhvi Kapoor, has been criticised with the abovementioned words, and the film has received severe backlash.
While many actors have commented upon the ongoing row, the latest to join the list is Kareena Kapoor Khan, who said sensuality does not always mean wearing revealing clothes. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle, she said, "Look at Kajol in that song 'Suraj Hua Madhyam' in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, or Sridevi in the song 'Tere Mere Honthon Pe' in Chandni… they blew the screen apart without any skin show. My mother-in-law (Sharmila Tagore) in that song in Aradhana, 'Roop Tere Mastana', was covered from head to toe. She was the epitome of sensuality. I believe being sensual on screen has nothing to do with wearing revealing clothes or being objectified.”
In the same interview, Jaya Bachchan said, "Nobody ever dared to cross the line with me," adding that despite her adamancy on declining such roles, she had one unpleasant experience. "I had only one unpleasant experience of being objectified by the director. I never worked with him again.” As per the article, the actor was referring to Shor, starring Manoj Kumar, where she was asked to wear a ghagra-choli without a dupatta on her upper body, which the actor refused and caused a dispute.
For the unversed, audiences have been criticising Janhvi Kapoor's costumes in Peddi, which do not represent that of a village girl. Some have mentioned that most of the camera angles in her scenes objectify the actor and cater to the male gaze. Notably, there is also a romance scene where Ram Charan's titular character coerces Janhvi's Achiyamma into a kiss.
Just two days after the backlash began, director Buchi Babu Sana issued an apology on X. Although he said he respected women and that those scenes would be removed from the film, the film is reportedly still running in theatres with the scenes. After Ram Charan paid a theatre visit to watch the film with audiences on Sunday, netizens have further asked him to take accountability for the film's misogyny.