During their appearance on Koffee With Karan Season 9, the couple discussed why performers need the freedom to say no without worrying about being called unprofessional. Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna have spoken about the difficulty actors face when they are uncomfortable with revealing costumes or certain scenes in films. Their conversation comes amid the controversy surrounding Janhvi Kapoor ’s portrayal in Telugu film Peddi , which drew criticism over the camera angles used for her character and a scene involving a kiss without consent.
You signed this film. Because they have already signed a film, vijay pointed out that actors can feel pressured to accept uncomfortable situations. Rashmika explained that she understands the demands of commercial films but is not comfortable with excessive skin show. I know some characters need some things like a bikini or like that. But, even in that, I will say I am not comfortable with that exposing and skinshow. I am not that kind of a person. She admitted that she, too, sometimes struggles to voice her concerns and turns to Vijay for reassurance. Even I find it hard. Sometimes I want to say ‘I don’t want to do it’. But it takes a lot of conversations with Vijay like ‘I really want to say this and he is like you can. Ofcourse you should’. He explained how such expectations can leave performers questioning whether refusing a scene means they are failing to do their jobs. “They all need support system to say that it is okay to put your foot down. I thnk people can make you feel like ‘But you are an actress. Isn’t this your job? I am not asking too much. So you start feeling a pressure of ‘Am i not doing my job? Am I not being professional? When they start making you feel unprofessional, they you think ‘Let’s not make a big deal out of it. And hope it will be okay’. Rashmika completed his thought, pointing to the regret that can follow when actors do not speak up in the moment. The debate grew after alleged screenshots of Janhvi’s messages surfaced online. Director Buchi Babu Sana subsequently apologised and promised to make changes to the scenes following the criticism.
She said, “There are some things which I am not okay with. When Karan brought up Janhvi’s experience and the vulnerability she felt after the scenes went viral, Rashmika said actors need an environment where they can speak openly about their discomfort. She said, “You have to make it easier for actors to come and ask these questions. You unwillingly are okay with it and then when things come out…,” he said. “I should have said something that time. In the purported messages, she reportedly expressed her objections to certain camera angles, saying, “I told him no b**b and waist shots”.
