Why Peddi Director Buchi Babu Sana Apologised For Janhvi Kapoor Character Controversy

Following a wave of intense social media backlash over the portrayal of leading lady Janhvi Kapoor’s character Achiyamma in the newly released sports action drama Peddi, filmmaker Buchi Babu Sana has stepped forward to address public grievances. The high-budget film, starring global icon Ram Charan, hit theaters amidst massive box office numbers but immediately drew severe criticism from a section of viewers and critics who slammed the movie for alleged hypersexualisation, objectification, and certain romantic sequences that appeared to normalize harassment. Responding swiftly to the growing online outrage, the director took to his official social media accounts to issue a comprehensive public apology, formally acknowledging that the team had taken the audience feedback very seriously. Buchi Babu Sana emphasized that his primary belief as a storyteller is that cinema should exclusively entertain, inspire, and deeply connect with viewers, and it should never make anyone feel genuinely uncomfortable or disrespected while watching the silver screen.

In his detailed official statement, the filmmaker clarified that it was absolutely never the intention of the creative team to objectify or show disrespect toward any female character in the script, asserting his lifelong, immense respect for women both on and off the camera lens. He noted that since certain portions of the film have been perceived negatively by the public, the production unit deeply respects those societal sentiments, understands the core concerns being raised, and sincerely apologizes to anyone who felt offended. Taking immediate corrective measures to salvage the reputation of the pan-India project, the director officially announced that the makers have collectively decided to revise and make necessary modifications to the concerned controversial portions of the movie. Film trade insiders report that the production team has already begun trimming and altering the problematic scenes and camera angles in the theatrical prints, aiming to align the content with evolving audience perspectives and ensure a more responsible representation of female dignity.

The unexpected controversy has emerged as a major talking point in the film industry, especially since the movie had been heavily promoted for weeks as a deeply rooted and family-friendly Indian sports drama. Set against the rustic backdrop of Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh, the film chronicles the inspirational journey of a determined young man, played by Ram Charan, who transitions across multiple athletic disciplines like cricket and wrestling to bring immense glory to his village. While Janhvi Kapoor had previously expressed in a media interaction that she felt the need to pick her battles when dealing with cinematic tropes, the director admitted in a recent interview that he genuinely had not anticipated such a harsh and widespread negative reaction to the romantic track. Concluding his message with a firm reassurance to moviegoers, Buchi Babu Sana reiterated that every single woman deserves to be valued, respected, and portrayed with absolute dignity, promising that his future storytelling endeavors will remain fiercely committed to celebrating strong, well-rounded characters that strictly uphold these fundamental human values.