Playing victim card: Internet slams Janhvi over South's 'rare bound scripts' remark

Actor Janhvi Kapoor’s comments on bound scripts in South Indian cinema have landed her in trouble, with social media users calling out her sweeping generalisation about four distinct film industries. The actor, who has so far worked in just two Telugu films, made the remark while discussing the backlash over her sexualised portrayal in Ram Charan’s Peddi on a recent episode of Koffee with Karan Season 9.Janhvi admitted that she should have used her privilege to speak up more firmly about the scenes she was uncomfortable with. But while reflecting on her experience, she also made a sweeping claim about how films are made in the South. And that is where the conversation took a turn, with many questioning whether one actor’s experience on a film can be used to paint four industries with the same brush.During the episode, Janhvi was asked about the social media outrage over her problematic portrayal in Peddi. She spoke about the guilt she felt over not being more vigilant during production, but her remarks soon went beyond her own experience, igniting a debate over accountability, filmmaking practices and the dangers of generalising South cinema."I went through the beats of really beating up myself that I should have been more vigilant. I don't like saying this because it sounds like I am shifting blame, but it's like you listen to the director and what he says. I was navigating how to make things less problematic as and when information was becoming available to me. In the south, very rarely there is a bound script. Very rarely do you see the camera angles. I should have taken advantage of my privilege. It was a violating experience in a way. The good thing that came out of it is that maybe next time a director will rethink twice before presenting a lead actress this way," she said. Janhvi Kapoor talk about her controversy in Peddi movie at Koffee With Karan show https://t.co/a4NAoBIVUD— Filmy_Duniya (@ayaanpanda1) October 28, 2026 Why Janhvi Kapoor's statement is problematicJanhvi's comments have raised questions about how she arrived at such a sweeping conclusion about filmmaking practices across South Indian cinema. Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema are distinct industries, each with its own filmmaking identities, traditions, production practices and working methods. Reducing them to a single category and suggesting that bound scripts and detailed camera directions are rarely available overlooks the diversity of these industries.A filmmaker's approach to scripting and production can vary from one project to another, regardless of the language or industry. Suggesting that the absence of bound scripts or camera angles as a defining feature of South Indian cinema risks turning an individual experience into an industry-wide perception. Janhvi's experience on Peddi may explain her frustration with the production process. However, it need not necessarily justify extending that experience to four separate film industries, particularly when her exposure to South Indian cinema has so far been limited to two Telugu films. The social media responseJanhvi Kapoor’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism on social media, with several users accusing the actor of generalising about South Indian cinema and shifting the blame for her portrayal in Peddi onto the filmmaking process. While some questioned her decision to remain silent during production, others challenged her claim about bound scripts and argued that she should have been more specific about the industry she was referring to.One user wrote, "She is not a kid bro she did understand that what was director's intention and they shot it with her consent only it was not forcefull (sic)."Another user, writing in Telugu, said, "We've seen how the girl has delivered such big hits after working in Bollywood with bound scripts, if we let go of this obsession for north lead actresses, everything will be set for our people."A third user alleged that Janhvi was playing the victim card, writing, "Telugu film industry should not consider #Janhvi Kapoor again. #BuchiBabu has confirmed that the full bound script was narrated to her. But today, she's playing the victim card. Bollywood playing the victim card is nothing new. Radhika Apte, Taapsee Pannu, and now Janhvi Kapoor. Everyone has to take the blame"Another user questioned her broad reference to South Indian cinema, writing, "what do you mean by south girl?? be specific about the industry which you have did such shitty roles... I belong to keralam and here films can't win the box-office solely on navel show and cuteness of actress....you need talented artists and good script here..."The reactions reflect a wider debate about accountability, the working relationship between actors and directors, and the tendency to treat Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam cinema as a single entity. While Janhvi acknowledged that she could have raised her concerns more firmly, her remarks have prompted questions about whether her experience on one Telugu film can be used to devalue the working practices of four film industries.The Peddi controversy and Janhvi's responseThe controversy surrounding Peddi centred on the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor's character, Achiyamma, opposite Ram Charan. Several scenes in the Telugu sports drama drew criticism for allegedly objectifying the female lead, with viewers pointing to lingering close-up shots of her waist and navel and dialogues that they found derogatory.The film's romantic track also came under fire for depicting the male protagonist pursuing Achiyamma and kissing her without consent, with some viewers arguing that the narrative eventually framed such behaviour as romance rather than harassment.Director Buchi Babu Sana subsequently acknowledged the backlash, saying he had not anticipated that the scenes would be perceived so negatively. He maintained that the intention was to portray a playful romance but said the team would be more careful in its representation of women. The filmmaker also issued an apology and announced changes to the portions that had attracted criticism.In a subsequent interview, he confirmed that the controversial shots had been removed. The revised theatrical version was followed by an extended cut announced for June 17, which restored three scenes, including two featuring Janhvi, while leaving out the portions that had prompted the backlash.Janhvi Kapoor’s first official response to the controversy came during a recent episode of Koffee with Karan. Janhvi described filming some of the scenes as a “violating experience” and recalled feeling uncomfortable throughout the shoot. She acknowledged that the film's portrayal of women was problematic and propagated sexual assault narratively. The actor also admitted that she could have been more vigilant while it was being made.- EndsMUST WATCH: