But as the film continues its successful theatrical run, it has found itself at the centre of many controversies, from legal complaints to social media criticism.
The biggest challenge for the makers is to seek legal action from tribal community leaders in Andhra Pradesh. Tribal organisations in Manyam and Vizianagaram districts have also filed complaints with the authorities that the film depicts tribal communities and their culture in a derogatory and disrespectful manner.
Some of the movie’s dialogues and scenes, the complainants say, portray tribal people negatively, and that’s not good for indigenous peoples. They say such portrayals reinforce stereotypes and don’t respect the cultures and identities of tribal communities.
So tribal groups have demanded immediate action against the film’s makers. They have asked to have cases registered under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against director Buchi Babu Sana, production house Mythri Movie Makers, and indeed the certification board that approved the film’s release. The organisations are demanding that the authorities investigate and determine if the content violates the protections of law and provides for marginalised communities.
The legal issue is not the only issue that still needs to be addressed; another debate has emerged on the film’s female lead, Janhvi Kapoor, on social media.
Janhvi Kapoor’s makeup and attire have been criticised on social media, and her character in the film is reflected in the movie’s costumes and how she is presented. Critics say the actress is too hypersexualised in this rural setting, in a film set in India. And they say they have judged that they have made such choices in terms of hairstyles so much that it is not really needed for the story, and, in fact, that the film has chosen to be more glamorous than true character development.
The debate has been divided online. Some of the filmmakers’ artistic choices have been defended, while others have said female characters in mainstream movies are still portrayed in a manner that is too objectifying.
Despite the ongoing controversies, the box office performance of Peddi is still strong. The film has attracted numerous audiences worldwide and received strong acclaim for its action sequences, acting, emotional storytelling, and production.
In the atmosphere around the film, industry observers say the next few days are crucial. What filmmakers do in response, what happens to the film if there’s a legal fight, and what people say on social media will ultimately decide the film’s legacy.
Peddi is a particularly rare case of a blockbuster that is celebrating commercial success at the same time as being under enormous legal and cultural scrutiny.
