Following the highly anticipated theatrical release of the sports drama Peddi, a fresh wave of social media controversy has emerged. Viral screenshots circulating on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) claim that lead actress Janhvi Kapoor “liked” a fiercely critical post aimed at the film’s creative choices.
The social media post in question described the movie as “the most expensive disrespect to a leading woman in Indian cinema.” However, shortly after the screenshots began making the rounds, the “like” mysteriously disappeared from the post, triggering widespread speculation.
Fan Pages Claim “Fabricated Evidence”
While Janhvi Kapoor herself has maintained complete silence and issued no official clarification, her dedicated fan communities have aggressively pushed back against the viral narrative.
A prominent Janhvi Kapoor fan page shared the screenshot, labeling it a complete hoax:
“It’s disappointing to see edited screenshots and false narratives being circulated for attention. Love and respect for #Peddi, Achiyamma, and the entire team remain unchanged. Let’s celebrate the film for what it truly is, not for fabricated stories.”
The Root of the Outrage: The Portrayal of ‘Achiyamma’
The social media storm surrounding the “like” is directly tied to the severe backlash the film has faced regarding Janhvi’s character, Achiyamma. While the film has performed exceptionally well at the box office—crossing the ₹100-crore milestone globally on Day 1—the audience reaction to the romance track has been overwhelmingly negative.
Viewers and critics have flooded social media to call out director Buchi Babu Sana for what they describe as “crass objectification” and poor character writing.
| Major Criticisms Highlighted by Viewers |
| The Inverted Male Gaze: Viewers flagged specific scenes where the hero describes the heroine’s eyes or lips, but the camera cuts to tight shots of her body instead. |
| Lack of Character Agency: Audiences noted that despite being the daughter of a politician, Achiyamma holds virtually no purpose or relevance to the primary sports narrative. |
| Problematic Courtship: Multiple social media reviews described the dynamic between the main characters as carrying an uncomfortable “edge of entitlement” and blatant lust rather than a romantic bond. |
Despite the ongoing debates regarding selective audience outrage and character sexualization, Peddi continues to hold steady in theaters across India, driven heavily by Ram Charan’s powerhouse performance.
