The makers of Peddi have responded to the criticism surrounding the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor‘s character in the film. Director Buchi Babu Sana has now confirmed that some scenes which sparked controversy have been removed after audiences raised concerns about how the character was presented on screen.
In a recent interview with Screen, Buchi Babu spoke openly about the backlash and explained the thinking behind Janhvi Kapoor’s role as Achiyyamma. According to the filmmaker, many viewers misunderstood the purpose of her character and her relationship with Ram Charan’s character, Peddi.
Buchi Babu said that Peddi was written as a man from a remote rural background with a very different upbringing. He wanted to show the character’s raw and flawed behavior before eventually highlighting how his environment shaped his actions. The director explained that Peddi believes he must marry the woman he loves and that this mindset comes from the world he grew up in.
However, he admitted that some scenes did not communicate that idea clearly and instead gave audiences the wrong impression. He acknowledged that a few moments in the film appeared misleading and confirmed that the team has taken corrective action by removing those scenes from the final version.
The controversy began after viewers criticized the way Janhvi Kapoor’s character was filmed. Many felt that the camera focused too much on her physical appearance instead of developing her personality and importance to the story. The romantic track between Achiyyamma and Peddi also came under scrutiny. Several audience members were uncomfortable with scenes where Peddi continued to express romantic interest despite Achiyyamma appearing hesitant. One particular scene involving a kiss during a power cut became a major talking point and triggered widespread debate online.
Earlier, Buchi Babu had already apologized to viewers through a statement posted on X. He said he has always respected women both in real life and in his films and that it was never the team’s intention to objectify or disrespect any female character. He added that if audiences felt otherwise, he respected their concerns and sincerely apologized.
The director also emphasized that every woman deserves dignity and respect and reiterated his commitment to creating stories with strong and meaningful characters.
Despite the controversy, Peddi has performed strongly at the box office. The film, which stars Ram Charan alongside Janhvi Kapoor, Jagapathi Babu, Shiva Rajkumar, Divyenndu and Boman Irani, has emerged as a major commercial success, earning more than ₹300 crore worldwide.