Director Buchi Babu Sana has addressed the criticism surrounding the portrayal Janhvi KapoorPeddi’s character, admitted that he was surprised by the negative response and did not anticipate that some of the scenes would be considered problematic by the audience.The filmmaker recently reflected on the backlash the film received for its romance, and said the backlash has prompted him to rethink how female characters are written and portrayed in future projects.
“I didn’t expect the scenes to be perceived so negatively”
Speaking to SCREEN, Buchi Babu Sana said that he was caught off guard by the criticism directed at the film’s romantic storyline featuring Janhvi Kapoor’s character, Achiyyamma.“I didn’t anticipate that the scenes would be perceived so negatively by the audience,” he said.Explaining the intention behind the track, the director added, “The idea was to show a playful love story between. Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor. However, we will be very careful and make better representations.”Criticism largely focused on the way Achiyamma’s character was introduced and how her relationship with the protagonist developed on screen.
The romantic trail sparks a debate about consent and representation
Set in the Bizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, Peddi follows the story of unnamed villages struggling for identity and recognition. Ram Charan plays the titular character, a cricketer for hire and his journey forms the emotional backbone of the sports drama.While many viewers praised the film’s themes and the second half, the love song from the first half became a hot topic of discussion online.Critics of the film noted scenes where Achiyyamma is introduced through shots that focus on her body before revealing her face. The subsequent courtship sequence also drew scrutiny, with viewers objecting to scenes that romanticized nonconsensual behavior and blurred the boundaries of consent. The debate quickly spread beyond Telugu film circles, with viewers and commentators debating the portrayal of women and romantic relationships in mainstream films.Peddi released in theaters on June 4, 2026.
