Ashika Ranganath Defends Actresses Amid Debate Over Female Roles

Actress Ashika Ranganath has stirred an important conversation in the film industry after sharing an Instagram story on the portrayal of women in mainstream commercial films. Her remarks come at a time when discussions surrounding female characters in big-ticket entertainers have intensified following the release of Ram Charan's Peddi.

Ashika reposted a message highlighting how actresses are often unfairly blamed when female characters are portrayed as mere glamour additions or are written without depth. According to the actress, the criticism is frequently directed at the wrong people.

“The problem is not the actresses. Female characters are often neglected or poorly designed at the writing stage itself. Actors perform within the boundaries given to them by the director and the script,” Ashika stated.

She also addressed a common criticism faced by heroines who sign films opposite leading stars such as Ram Charan, Jr NTR and other top actors. Many observers argue that actresses choose such projects primarily for money, fame and visibility, even when their roles lack substance.

Ashika disagreed with that perception, pointing out the practical realities of the film business. She noted that being part of a big-budget pan-India film is often a crucial career decision rather than merely an artistic choice. Such projects provide actresses with wider exposure, larger audiences and opportunities that can significantly boost their careers in a highly competitive industry.

Her comments have gained attention because Janhvi Kapoor's role in Peddi has been facing criticism on social media. Several viewers have argued that the character was overly sexualized and offered little contribution to the narrative beyond glamour. The backlash eventually prompted director Buchi Babu Sana to issue a public apology and promise corrective measures.

As a result, many social media users interpreted Ashika's post as an indirect response to the criticism surrounding Janhvi Kapoor's decision to take up the film. However, Ashika did not mention Peddi, Janhvi Kapoor or any specific film in her statement.

Her remarks have nevertheless reignited a larger debate about whether responsibility for weak female characters should rest with actresses who accept such roles or with filmmakers and writers who create them. For many, Ashika's comments underline a long-standing industry concern that meaningful female representation begins on the page long before it reaches the screen.