Actor Janhvi Kapoor has spoken out against the invasive nature of paparazzi culture and the digital objectification of women. In a recent appearance on the Raj Shamani Podcast, Kapoor discussed the distinction between artistic expression and the non-consensual “zooming in” on body parts by photographers and editors.
Kapoor revealed that she recently confronted paparazzi directly about their methods. While acknowledging that her profession involves glamour, she emphasized that choosing a certain outfit is not an invitation for invasive camera angles.
“Even if we dress a certain way, we’re not expecting someone to zoom in on specific body parts,” Kapoor stated. “It reflects badly on them—that they’re commodifying a woman’s body for money and views.”
She drew a clear line between consensual sensuality and exploitation. Using her song ‘Bheegi Saadi’ as an example, she explained that while the performance was intended to be sensual, she did not consent to the subsequent way visuals are often slowed down, zoomed, or edited by third parties to highlight specific anatomy.
The actress expressed concern over how these non-consensual portrayals create a “perception of character” that can influence the film industry. She noted that:
Constant exposure to compromising or sexualized visuals can lead the public to judge an actor’s personal values based on their clothes. Filmmakers may hesitate to cast an actor in diverse roles if they feel the actor is “overly visible” in a specific, sexualized manner. Kapoor now finds it necessary to speak up on film sets regarding uncomfortable camera placements, even if it risks being labeled “unprofessional.”
In response to the rise of AI-generated “deepfakes” and predatory edits, Kapoor admitted she has begun to overthink her own social media presence. To combat this, she has spent the last few months actively avoiding the limelight.
“I didn’t like how I was being consumed,” she confessed, adding that she is currently “playing it safe” until she builds enough industry credibility to exist in the public eye without the fear of her image being misused. Despite her efforts to stay low-profile, she observed that the sheer volume of existing content makes it difficult to truly disappear from the digital conversation.
