Peddi row: Ratna Pathak's take on privileged women and objectification goes viral

Amid the ongoing Peddi controversy over the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor's character, an old video of Ratna Pathak discussing objectification in cinema has resurfaced and gone viral.

In Short

• Old Ratna Pathak clip on objectification goes viral amid Peddi controversy
• Pathak urged women actors to reject objectifying roles when possible
• She acknowledged many lack privilege to refuse such parts

As Peddi faces criticism over the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor’s character, Achiyyamma, an old video of actor Ratna Pathak discussing objectification in cinema has resurfaced online and gone viral. The clip, originally from a 2017 panel discussion, is being widely shared on social media as conversations around female representation in mainstream films intensify. In the video, Pathak highlights how privileged women in the industry have the ability to refuse objectifying roles.

In the interview with News18, Ratna Pathak spoke about the responsibility actors have when choosing roles that reduce women to objects of desire.

“Everyone who decides to act in a film, every woman, I am sorry to be judgemental but every woman who decides to act in a film like Dabangg where she is made a complete object of lust and more or less, nothing else, those women should also stand up and say ‘no, I don’t feel doing a part like this’," she said.

She went on to acknowledge that not all female actors enjoy the same privileges or freedom to reject such roles.

"Particularly since I have got a mummy or daddy to bankroll this, at least at this time I won’t. Silk Smitha didn’t get a chance to say that. Her family depended on her doing what she had to do. My family doesn’t depend, so why am I not standing up?”

The remarks were made during a panel discussion that also featured Vidya Balan, Bhumi Pednekar, Swara Bhasker and Zaira Wasim. The conversation explored sexism in the film industry, the challenges faced by women actors and the responsibility of performers in shaping social attitudes through cinema.

During the discussion, Bhumi Pednekar also shared her perspective on the issue and revealed that she had turned down numerous projects because she did not connect with the characters being offered.

“We need to become more responsible. I completely agree considering the kind of impact we have on people, on the public, we need to know because every time you are smacking a girl’s butt, there are going to be 10 boys in a small little village in India doing the same thing and they think it’s okay.”

The video has resurfaced at a time when Peddi, starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, is facing criticism from sections of the audience over its depiction of Achiyyamma.

Much of the debate has centred on the character's introduction, where the camera focuses on her body for an extended period before revealing her face. Critics have argued that the film's treatment of the character prioritises visual objectification over character development.

Several viewers have also questioned the romantic dynamic portrayed in the film, arguing that certain scenes blur the lines around consent and agency. What some interpreted as playful romance was viewed by others as normalising harassment and treating a woman's objections as obstacles to be overcome rather than boundaries to be respected.

Peddi was released in theatres on June 4, 2026.

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