The Bollywood actor Janhvi Kapoor’s makeup artist, Savleen Kaur Manchanda, has publicly defended her after sections of the audience criticised Ram Charan starrer Peddi for allegedly objectifying female character in the film which was released on June 04. The debate over Peddi sparked after several viewers arguing that some scenes appeared to focus more on Janhvi Kapoor’s appearance than on the development of her role in the sports drama.
Amid the criticism, Savleen Kaur Manchanda reposted a social media post claiming that Janhvi had previously questioned the inclusion of certain shots during the film’s post-production process. The post suggested that the actor’s concerns reflected her publicly stated views on the tendency to oversexualise female characters in cinema.
“It is easy to blame an actress for the roles she takes, but the actual timeline tells a different story,” the post read, adding that Janhvi had reportedly raised objections to some visuals that later appeared in the final cut. In his post, Savleen further alleged that the actor had specifically expressed concerns about particular camera angles used in the film. His statement came after social media users questioned the treatment of Janhvi’s role in Peddi.
According to the claims shared online, Janhvi attempted to set professional boundaries regarding how her character was presented on screen, but the footage remained part of the final version released in theatres. The allegations have added another dimension to the conversation around creative decisions and the portrayal of women in mainstream films.
As criticism of the film mounted, director Buchi Babu Sana released a public statement addressing the issue. The filmmaker said he has always held immense respect for women and maintained that it was never the intention of the makers to objectify or disrespect any female character in the film.