Easy to blame the actress: Janhvi Kapoor's make-up artist weighs in on Peddi row

The debate around Janhvi Kapoor's role in Peddi has intensified after a member of her team shared claims about what happened behind the scenes. Here's what sparked the latest discussion.

In Short

• Instagram repost claimed Janhvi questioned contentious visuals during the film’s post-production
• Savleen alleged final edits retained footage despite objections to specific camera angles
• Fan pages shared screen recordings alleging she sought removal of body-focused shots

The controversy surrounding Peddi has taken a fresh turn after Janhvi Kapoor's make-up artist, Savleen Kaur Manchanda, appeared to defend the actor against criticism over her portrayal in the film. As debates continue online about the alleged hypersexualisation of Kapoor's character, Savleen suggested that the actor had previously raised concerns about some of the scenes that ultimately made it into the final cut.

Sharing a post on Instagram, Savleen reposted claims that Janhvi had objected to certain shots during post-production and questioned visuals that allegedly reflected the industry's tendency to oversexualise female characters. The post argued that it was unfair to place the blame on the actor without considering what may have happened behind the scenes.

Take a look at her post:

What did Janhvi Kapoor's make-up artist say?

The reposted Instagram slide claimed that Janhvi had challenged the inclusion of specific shots during the editing process.

"It is easy to blame an actress for the roles she takes, but the actual timeline tells a different story," the post read. It further alleged that Kapoor had questioned scenes that she believed contributed to the objectification of female characters and had voiced concerns before the film's release.

Savleen also shared a claim suggesting that Janhvi had objected to particular camera angles used in the film, but that the footage was retained in the final version.

What are the allegations surrounding Peddi?

The discussion began after several viewers criticised the portrayal of Janhvi's character in Peddi, alleging that some scenes focused more on her appearance than on developing her role in the story.

The debate intensified when fan accounts circulated screen recordings of messages they claimed were sent by the actor. According to those posts, Janhvi had repeatedly requested that certain shots not be included in the film. However, the authenticity of those messages has not been independently verified, and the actor has not publicly commented on the claims.

How has the film's team responded?

Amid the backlash, director Buchi Babu Sana issued a public apology and acknowledged audience concerns. In a statement shared on X, he said the team had taken the feedback seriously and would make changes to the portions that had sparked criticism.

Despite the controversy, Peddi, starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, has continued to perform strongly at the box office, with the film maintaining momentum during its opening weekend.

- Ends