Buchi Babu Sana faced pushback on social media over Peddi, which debuted as India's top Telugu opener of 2026. The writer-director has agreed to modify scenes accused of objectifying the film's female lead.
The indie drama, distributed by Prathyangira Cinemas, opened across India and stateside this weekend. Critics and viewers took to social media with allegations that the film portrayed its female protagonist through a male gaze.
Sana acknowledged the backlash Saturday and committed to reworking the flagged scenes. The swift response earned him credit for accountability, though opinion is divided on whether the edits address the underlying concern.
The controversy reflects growing audience conversations about on-screen representation in Telugu cinema. Streaming platforms and indie distributors face increasing pressure when depictions fall short.
For Peddi, the opening weekend held strong despite the social media storm, suggesting audiences are willing to give the director credit for listening. Whether the revised cuts will satisfy critics remains unclear.
Industry insiders are watching. If Sana's revisions succeed, it could set a precedent for how filmmakers respond to representation pushback in real time.
