When Janhvi spoke about being hypersexualised; clip resurfaces amid Peddi row
As Peddi faces criticism for allegedly objectifying Janhvi Kapoor's character, the actor's earlier remarks on consent and over-sexualisation in films have resurfaced online.
Amid the backlash over the portrayal of her character Achiyyamma in Peddi, an old interview clip of Janhvi Kapoor discussing over-sexualisation in cinema has begun circulating again on social media. In the April interview, the actor said that while sensuality on screen does not bother her if she has consented to it, she is not comfortable with being sexualised without her consent.
Janhvi also revealed that she is learning to assert herself on film sets and speak up when filmmakers or cinematographers shoot her from angles she is uncomfortable with. Her comments have gained renewed attention as the makers of Peddi face criticism over the way her character has been presented in the film.
Speaking on Raj Shamani's podcast in April, she said, “I think at any and every stage, it’s important to ask yourself, what did I consent to? For example, I did a song called Bheegi Saree (in Param Sundari) where I’m in a wet saree, and I’m dancing pretty sensually. The idea for that was, I wouldn’t say to titillate, but it was a sensual song."
"I think if someone looked at that and said, I’m not attracted to this chick, I would maybe feel offended. But that’s very different from sexualising someone, especially without their consent. That, in any and every form, I’m not okay with. And that does bother me,” she added.
The actor further shared that she has been learning to assert her boundaries on set, particularly when it comes to how she is filmed. Janhvi said she wants to be able to object if a director of photography places the camera at an angle she is uncomfortable with, without being labelled unprofessional.
While she admitted that she has often tried to be polite and carefully choose which battles to fight, Janhvi said she has become more confident about expressing her discomfort and ensuring her concerns are heard, while still maintaining professionalism.
During the same conversation, the actor also spoke about how public perception and industry expectations can influence the kind of work offered to her. Janhvi said filmmakers often want audiences to first see a heroine in a bikini or glamorous avatar within their own films, and that casting decisions are frequently shaped by what viewers appear to like about an actor.
Janhvi made her acting debut in 2018 with the romantic drama Dhadak and has since appeared in films such as Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Roohi, Good Luck Jerry, Mili, Ulajh, Mr. & Mrs. Mahi and Devara: Part 1.
More recently, she earned praise for her performance in Homebound, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, in which she played a lower-caste woman navigating social discrimination.
Her latest release is Peddi alongside Ram Charan, a film that has now sparked a wider conversation about representation, consent and the portrayal of women on screen.
Amid the backlash over the portrayal of her character Achiyyamma in Peddi, an old interview clip of Janhvi Kapoor discussing over-sexualisation in cinema has begun circulating again on social media. In the April interview, the actor said that while sensuality on screen does not bother her if she has consented to it, she is not comfortable with being sexualised without her consent.
Janhvi also revealed that she is learning to assert herself on film sets and speak up when filmmakers or cinematographers shoot her from angles she is uncomfortable with. Her comments have gained renewed attention as the makers of Peddi face criticism over the way her character has been presented in the film.
Speaking on Raj Shamani's podcast in April, she said, “I think at any and every stage, it’s important to ask yourself, what did I consent to? For example, I did a song called Bheegi Saree (in Param Sundari) where I’m in a wet saree, and I’m dancing pretty sensually. The idea for that was, I wouldn’t say to titillate, but it was a sensual song."
"I think if someone looked at that and said, I’m not attracted to this chick, I would maybe feel offended. But that’s very different from sexualising someone, especially without their consent. That, in any and every form, I’m not okay with. And that does bother me,” she added.
The actor further shared that she has been learning to assert her boundaries on set, particularly when it comes to how she is filmed. Janhvi said she wants to be able to object if a director of photography places the camera at an angle she is uncomfortable with, without being labelled unprofessional.
While she admitted that she has often tried to be polite and carefully choose which battles to fight, Janhvi said she has become more confident about expressing her discomfort and ensuring her concerns are heard, while still maintaining professionalism.
During the same conversation, the actor also spoke about how public perception and industry expectations can influence the kind of work offered to her. Janhvi said filmmakers often want audiences to first see a heroine in a bikini or glamorous avatar within their own films, and that casting decisions are frequently shaped by what viewers appear to like about an actor.
Janhvi made her acting debut in 2018 with the romantic drama Dhadak and has since appeared in films such as Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl, Roohi, Good Luck Jerry, Mili, Ulajh, Mr. & Mrs. Mahi and Devara: Part 1.
More recently, she earned praise for her performance in Homebound, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, in which she played a lower-caste woman navigating social discrimination.
Her latest release is Peddi alongside Ram Charan, a film that has now sparked a wider conversation about representation, consent and the portrayal of women on screen.
