Janhvi Kapoor and Radhika Apte have sparked debate with their comments about working in Telugu cinema. On Koffee with Karan, Janhvi spoke about her experience shooting Peddi with Ram Charan, saying she should have been more vigilant and criticising the lack of bound scripts and detailed camera angles in South Indian productions. Days later, Radhika Apte described working on Balakrishna’s Legend as one of the toughest experiences of her career, citing its patriarchal setup and her character’s relationship with an older co-star.
Their remarks have triggered backlash among Telugu audiences. Many question why actresses enthusiastically sign and promote these films before criticising their experiences years later. Others point out that Bollywood also produces poorly written female characters and glamour-driven roles, yet rarely faces similar criticism from these actresses. However, several voices have defended their right to speak about uncomfortable professional experiences.
The debate ultimately highlights a larger issue: the representation of women in commercial cinema. Telugu filmmakers deserve scrutiny, but the same standards should apply to Bollywood. As Nithya Menen has argued, problematic portrayals of women are not exclusive to South Indian cinema. For many Telugu viewers, the concern is not criticism itself but the perceived lack of consistency in directing it.