Anu Aggarwal on 'Peddi' row: dignity in roles mattered after Aashiqui
Synopsis
Anu Aggarwal's response to the 'Peddi' row is more than a celebrity comment — it is a rare instance of an actor connecting a current controversy to a personal, decades-old stand against objectification. With director Buchi Babu Sana already apologising and promising edits, the episode marks one of the more consequential audience-driven interventions in recent Indian cinema.
Key Takeaways
Anu Aggarwal reacted to the 'Peddi' controversy via an Instagram post on 7 June , linking it to her post- Aashiqui decision to reject objectifying scripts.
She said she made a conscious choice over 30 years ago to prioritise dignity in storytelling, which she credits as a reason she eventually left the film industry. 'Peddi' , starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor , faced backlash over the portrayal of Kapoor's character, Achiyyamma , with viewers calling it objectifying.
Director Buchi Babu Sana publicly apologised and confirmed the disputed scenes will be edited .
The controversy was amplified by the alleged circulation of screenshots of conversations between Janhvi Kapoor and a crew member.
Former actress Anu Aggarwal has weighed in on the controversy surrounding the film 'Peddi', using the moment to reflect on her own decades-old decision to prioritise dignified storytelling over commercial convenience. Her remarks, shared via an Instagram post, arrive as the debate over the portrayal of women in Indian cinema gains fresh momentum.
What Anu Aggarwal Said
In her post, Aggarwal drew a direct line between the current discourse and a personal turning point in her career. 'The recent conversations around Peddi reminded me of a choice I made long ago. I applaud today's audience for speaking up and asking for more dignity in the portrayal of women. But responsibility does not rest only with the audience. Nor does it rest only with filmmakers,' she wrote.
She added that the responsibility extends to actors themselves. 'More than 30 years ago, after Aashiqui, I made it a point to hear the story before signing a film. Objectification of women was the norm. I chose to act against that norm. The films I did stand testimony to that choice. In many ways, that is one of the reasons I eventually walked away from films,' she said.
Aggarwal concluded with a message to the current generation: 'Today, I encourage young actors and actresses to hear the story first. Ask questions. And if something compromises human dignity, have the courage to say no.'
The 'Peddi' Controversy
The film 'Peddi', starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, became the subject of online criticism after viewers raised concerns about the portrayal of Kapoor's character, Achiyyamma, calling it objectifying and problematic. The backlash intensified following the circulation of alleged screenshots of conversations between Janhvi Kapoor and a member of the film's crew.
Director's Apology and Promised Edits
Director Buchi Babu Sana responded publicly to the criticism, issuing an apology on social media and confirming that the disputed scenes would be edited. In his statement, Sana said: 'As a filmmaker, I believe cinema should entertain, inspire, and connect with audiences. It should never make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected. We have heard the feedback regarding certain scenes in Peddi and have taken it seriously.'
He added: 'I have always had immense respect for women, both on and off screen, and it was never our intention to objectify or disrespect any female character. If any part of the film has been perceived that way, we respect those sentiments, understand the concerns being raised, and sincerely apologize.'
Broader Context
Notably, Aggarwal's intervention signals a generational conversation within the film industry. The Aashiqui actress — who rose to fame in the early 1990s — represents a cohort that navigated an era when, as she put it, objectification of women was the industry norm. Her remarks underscore that the current audience-led pushback is not without precedent, but that institutional change has been slow. This is not the first time a major Indian film has faced such scrutiny, but the speed and scale of the online response to 'Peddi' reflects a shift in audience expectations. How the film's makers respond in their final cut will be closely watched.
Point of View
Not just directors and audiences, hold gatekeeping power over what gets made. The speed with which director Buchi Babu Sana apologised and agreed to edits is itself a data point — audience pressure, amplified by social media, is now capable of forcing production decisions post-release. What remains to be seen is whether this translates into structural change in how female characters are written at the scripting stage, or whether it remains a cycle of backlash, apology, and repetition.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anu Aggarwal say about the 'Peddi' controversy?
Anu Aggarwal said the conversations around 'Peddi' reminded her of her own choice, made over 30 years ago after 'Aashiqui', to reject scripts that objectified women. She called on today's young actors to ask questions and refuse roles that compromise human dignity.
What is the controversy around the film 'Peddi'?
'Peddi', starring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, faced criticism from viewers who called the portrayal of Kapoor's character, Achiyyamma, objectifying and problematic. The backlash grew after alleged screenshots of conversations between Kapoor and a crew member circulated online.
Did the director of 'Peddi' respond to the backlash?
Yes. Director Buchi Babu Sana issued a public apology on social media and confirmed that the disputed scenes in the film would be edited. He stated it was never the intention to objectify or disrespect any female character.
Why did Anu Aggarwal leave the film industry?
Aggarwal has said that her refusal to participate in scripts she considered objectifying was one of the reasons she eventually walked away from films. She described this as a deliberate choice made after 'Aashiqui' in the early 1990s.
What is the broader significance of this episode?
The episode reflects a growing trend of audience-led accountability in Indian cinema, where online pressure has compelled post-release editorial decisions. It also reopens a longstanding debate about the responsibility actors bear in choosing which stories they help tell.
