The intense national discourse on the objectification of women in Indian cinema has reached a new peak after the release of Ram Charan’s sports drama ‘Peddi’. Although the film has crossed a whopping Rs. 300 million milestone worldwide, a huge wave of reaction directed at the portrait and camera frame. Janhvi KapoorAchiyamma’s character forced director Buchi Babu Sana to issue a public apology and promise major changes. In the midst of this heated debate, the old notes of the actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran about women’s representation and the “male gaze” have surfaced online, drawing sharp comparisons to the industry’s ongoing controversy.
Prithviraj asked for a different approach to cinema
Talking about one of his first films, Prithviraj explained that cinema often presents women as visually appealing. As reported by Madhyamam, he said that the intention behind the film was to provide a different point of view. “Indian cinema usually objectifies women. We wanted to show that women can also desire men and look at them that way,” he said. The actor added that stories should not always be told only from a male perspective. Her comments highlighted the importance of giving women greater agency and representation on screen.
The actor reflected on his film options
Prithviraj also admitted that he has been a part of films with problematic portrayals of women in the past. However, he made it clear that his perspective had changed over time. “I have acted in films that can be considered misogynistic, but I don’t want to do such roles anymore,” he said. The actor also stated that he would avoid characters that normalize bad relationships. “I don’t want to be part of stories where a hero misbehaves with a woman and still falls for her,” he added. This statement was seen as an expression of his changing perceptions of responsible storytelling.
The debate about the representation of women remains relevant
‘Peddi’ is a sports action drama directed by Buchi Babu Sanak and stars Ram Charan opposite Janhvi Kapoor. Shiva RajkumarJagapathi Babu, Divyenndu and Boman Irani. ‘Peddi’ has faced criticism from a section of the audience over the way Janhvi Kapoor’s character was portrayed in the film. Many objected to certain camera shots and the scene involving a non-consensual kiss, calling it inappropriate and outdated.
