Actor Aditi Balan has criticised the writing of Janhvi Kapoor’s character in Peddi, questioning why the female lead was not given a more substantial role in the Ram Charan-led film.
In a recent conversation with Cine X, Aditi discussed how female characters have evolved in Indian cinema and pointed to Peddi as an example of a role she felt could have been written with greater depth.
“I watched one film recently called Peddi. I am thinking why would they write a character such as Janhvi Kapoor’s character which is so wrong,” Aditi said during the conversation.
She further suggested that the character could have been developed differently, giving Janhvi’s role more purpose within the story instead of limiting her contribution primarily to songs and appearances.
According to Aditi, the makers could have created “something for her to do” and made the character more interesting. Her remarks come amid a wider discussion in Indian cinema about the representation and agency of female characters in mainstream films.
Aditi Balan on the changing roles of women in Indian cinema
Aditi’s comments were part of a broader discussion about the changing portrayal of women on screen. The actor highlighted the growing acceptance of female performers taking on physically demanding and action-oriented roles.
She described the response to Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s Maa Inti Bangaram as a positive development, particularly because it demonstrates that audiences are increasingly receptive to female stars performing stunts and taking on more active roles.
Aditi also referred to films from an earlier era, including the work of filmmaker Balu Mahendra, as examples of cinema that featured memorable and well-written female characters.
She observed that, during an intervening period, many mainstream films increasingly reduced female characters to conventional romantic roles or love interests. Her comments reflect the ongoing conversation within Indian cinema about creating women characters who have their own motivations, conflicts and narrative importance.
Janhvi Kapoor’s character in Peddi faced criticism
Peddi, directed by Buchi Babu Sana and featuring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles, has faced discussion over the treatment of its female character.
Some criticism surrounding the film focused on the way Janhvi’s character was presented, with sections of the audience and critics questioning whether the role was given enough narrative substance.
The criticism has also prompted a response from director Buchi Babu Sana. The filmmaker has previously acknowledged the concerns surrounding the portrayal of the women characters in the film.
Buchi Babu Sana clarified that disrespecting or objectifying women was not his intention and stressed that the filmmaking team has always maintained respect for women both on and off screen.
The director’s comments add another perspective to the debate, while Aditi Balan’s latest remarks show that questions about the role continue to be part of the wider discussion around Peddi.
Aditi Balan’s upcoming projects
Aditi Balan currently has several projects in the pipeline. She plays Padmavathi in GDN, directed by Krishnakumar Ramakumar and featuring R Madhavan.
Her upcoming projects also include 666 Operation Dream Theater, in which she stars alongside Shivarajkumar and Dhananjay, as well as Non-Violence and Bouma.
Aditi has increasingly been associated with performances that place emphasis on character and narrative, making her comments on the writing of female roles particularly relevant to the continuing conversation about representation in Indian cinema.
For Peddi, the discussion surrounding Janhvi Kapoor’s character is likely to remain part of the film’s broader reception, particularly as audiences and filmmakers continue to debate what constitutes a meaningful female role in contemporary mainstream cinema.
