‘Actors must firmly say they are not okay...’: Nithya Menen on objectification of women in cinema

Acclaimed actor Nithya Menen has weighed in on the intensifying global debate surrounding the hyper-commercialisation of cinema, urging performers to establish firm professional boundaries to combat the on-screen objectification of women.

Speaking candidly about the industry's systemic pressures, Nithya linked the root of the issue directly to box-office greed. She noted that filmmakers frequently indulge in cheap, titillating tropes simply because they guarantee mass commercial success. However, she insisted that the ultimate power to disrupt this trend lies with the performers themselves.

"The person who’s performing the scene should be able to put their foot down and say they are not okay with being objectified," Nithya asserted in a conversation with Variety India.

While her comments coincide with heavy backlash over Janhvi Kapoor's portrayal in the film Peddi, Nithya stated that the issue is not unique to South Indian cinema, emphasising instead that objectification remains a deep-seated, universal malaise plaguing Hollywood, Bollywood, and regional industries alike.

Also read: 'String of objectifying scenes, total embarrassment': Netizens fume over Janhvi's portrayal in Peddi

For Nithya, maintaining artistic integrity requires absolute transparency from day one. She warned that actors who spend years participating in highly sexualised commercial cinema face an uphill battle if they suddenly object to the format later in their careers.

Acknowledging that asserting oneself comes with a heavy professional price, Nithya revealed that actors risk losing out on mainstream roles and lucrative genres by adhering to strict ethical codes. Ultimately, she views it as a question of personal priorities.

"If you only want to be a top star and are willing to do anything to get there, then that is a call you have taken," she concluded, choosing artistic dignity over fleeting stardom.

Meanwhile, Janhvi Kapoor has yet to issue a public response regarding the Peddi controversy. (With inputs from Agencies)