"This is not against a man or a woman."
Regina Cassandra has weighed in on Janhvi Kapoor’s remarks about the objectification of her character in Peddi.
She also commented on Radhika Apte’s remarks about her experience of working in Telugu cinema.
Regina said actors who feel uncomfortable with a film’s portrayal should walk away from the project if they have the choice.
She also said such conversations can create a divide between the North and South Indian film industries.
Regina shared her honest views on the ongoing debate, saying:
“I feel like at the end of the day, if they feel uncomfortable, please walk out to the film.
“I don’t think we should be put in a place where we say we didn’t have a choice.
“This is not against a man or a woman.
“As a woman, it is very easy for me to take sides, I will obviously take the side of the woman.
“But I don’t think any of us today, especially the examples that you gave, I don’t think either of them are in a place where they can’t walk out a film, especially being who they are.”
Regina also spoke about her own experience during the promotions of Kesari 2.
She played the wife of the film’s lead actor, Akshay Kumar.
The star claimed that Dharma Productions did not acknowledge or tag her while promoting the film.
She said: “I really have a big issue with when a North Indian actor talks about South Indian cinema like that.
“Because you’re making a north-south divide without you even realising it, and that’s absolutely wrong.
“There are different ways of handling this.”
She pointed out that Janhvi had spoken about being objectified on Karan Johar’s show.
The actor noted that Karan’s Dharma Productions had decided not to promote her in Kesari 2.
She said: “Now, what am I supposed to call that? Objectifying what? That I’m a South Indian?
“Till date I do not even know why they didn’t. It is very strange.”
“They shared Kesari 2’s song on Instagram, and I am featuring in that song from start to finish, but they didn’t even tag me.”
Janhvi starred opposite Ram Charan in Buchi Babu Sana’s Peddi.
Her portrayal sparked debate among viewers and critics.
Many criticised the camera angles and called out the objectification and sexualisation of her character.
Janhvi Kapoor spoke about it during her appearance on Koffee With Karan.
She admitted that she could have been more vigilant while filming the project.
The star acknowledged that the portrayal was problematic and called the experience “violating”.
