Rashmika Mandanna has opened up about setting personal boundaries while filming commercial entertainers, saying she is uncomfortable with excessive skin show and prefers working with directors who respect her choices. During her appearance with husband Vijay Deverakonda on ‘Koffee With Karan’ Season 9, the actress discussed the challenges performers face when speaking up about costumes and scenes they are not comfortable with. The episode, aired on October 21, comes amid the controversy surrounding Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal in Ram Charan-starrer Peddi.
Rashmika Mandanna on Janhvi Kapoor’s ‘Peddi’ controversy: ‘There are lines that I draw for myself’
During the conversation featuring Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda, aired on October 21, 2026 on Koffee With Karan Season 9, host Karan Johar brought up the debate surrounding Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal in the Ram Charan starrer ‘Peddi’ and asked Rashmika whether she was careful about how her characters were presented on screen. Karan noted that he had not seen a similar controversy surrounding Rashmika’s representation and asked whether she consciously set boundaries.Responding to him, Rashmika explained that she is not comfortable with every kind of costume or degree of skin show, even when a character calls for a particular look.“There are some things that I am not okay with. I know some characters sort of need something like a bikini or something like that, but even in that, I would say I am not very comfortable with exposing or skin show; I am not that kind of person,” she said.The actress acknowledged that commercial films can involve costumes that performers may not be entirely comfortable wearing. However, she stressed that actors should be able to communicate their concerns and establish limits.“But at the same time, there are lines that I draw for myself, which most often directors are okay with. Those are the kind of people I prefer working with,” Rashmika added.
Vijay Deverakonda says actors need support to say no to uncomfortable scenes
Vijay Deverakonda joined the discussion, pointing out that having these conversations on film sets can be challenging.“But then it is still challenging to have these conversations,” he said.Rashmika agreed, adding that actors should feel comfortable approaching directors and raising concerns without fearing the consequences.“Correct, but you also need to make it easier for the actors to come and ask such questions because even I find it hard. Sometimes I have a conversation with Viju: ‘I want to say this, you think I can?’ And he is like, ‘Yes, you should,’” she said.Vijay then highlighted how performers can feel pressured to agree to scenes after signing a film, particularly when their professionalism is questioned.“They all need a support system to tell them that it is okay to put your foot down and say a ‘no’, because people can make you feel like you are an actress, you have signed this film, isn’t this your job?” he said.Deverakonda explained that such pressure can make actors doubt whether refusing a scene amounts to failing to do their job. In those circumstances, performers may choose to go along with something they are uncomfortable with rather than risk being labelled unprofessional.
Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal in ‘Peddi’ sparks objectification debate
Janhvi Kapoor’s portrayal in Peddi, which stars Ram Charan, became a subject of online debate after viewers questioned the way her character was presented, including the camera angles used in certain scenes. The controversy prompted wider conversations about the portrayal of women in commercial cinema and the extent to which actresses can exercise control over their on-screen representation.Amid the debate, screenshots purportedly showing a private conversation between Janhvi and fan pages circulated on social media. The alleged messages suggested that the actress had expressed frustration over objectifying camera angles and her character’s portrayal. The authenticity of the screenshots should not be assumed without independent verification.
More about ‘Ranbaali’
The episode arrived just days after Rashmika and Vijay’s latest film together, ‘Ranabaali’, was released in theatres on October 16, 2026. The period action drama, directed by Rahul Sankrityan, arrived during the same theatrical window as Rajinikanth’s ‘Jailer 2’.According to Sacnilk’s October 21 update, ‘Ranabaali’ had collected an estimated Rs 36.20 crore in India net collections, while its worldwide gross stood at Rs 52.40 crore, including Rs 42.15 crore from India and Rs 10.25 crore from overseas markets.The film has received mixed reviews, with audiences praising Vijay and Rashmika’s performances and on-screen chemistry, while some have criticised the pacing, screenplay, excessive violence and background score.
