Janhvi Kapoor admits ‘extreme objectification’ in Peddi song: ‘The shame I will always carry’

Janhvi Kapoor has spoken out about her discomfort with a song from Telugu film Peddi, which sparked widespread criticism. The actress expressed regret on Koffee With Karan alongside Varun Dhawan, admitting that she had remained silent initially due to respect for her co-workers. However, she emphasized that this silence was not an attempt to evade accountability.

Kapoor acknowledged the potential negative consequences such portrayals could have on society, particularly for women, stating that the shame she carries will remain with her. She also admitted to wishing she could have done more to prevent the situation, suggesting that she could have been more vigilant. Kapoor agreed with the critics who found the portrayal problematic and extreme objectification.

She highlighted the lack of advance information about scenes, as scripts in southern productions often arrive in pieces, making it difficult for actors to object. Despite this, Kapoor took responsibility for her share of the responsibility, acknowledging that her privilege should have been leveraged to advocate for better representation.

When questioned about director Buchi Babu Sana's role, Kapoor avoided sounding like a victim, stressing that the experience was violating. She hopes her candid remarks will prompt future filmmakers to reconsider presenting actresses in such a manner and make it easier for future actors to voice their discomfort.