A tribal rights body in Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, has petitioned the Central Board of Film Certification to remove derogatory words from the film “Peddi” [1].
The request highlights the ongoing tension between creative expression in cinema and the legal protections afforded to marginalized communities in India. Because the group cited the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the dispute moves beyond artistic preference into the realm of legal compliance and human rights.
The tribal body said the specific language used in the movie hurts tribal sentiments [1, 2]. The group argued that the inclusion of these words constitutes a breach of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which is designed to prevent discrimination and violence against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes [1, 2].
Vizianagaram has become the center of this dispute as the local body seeks to ensure that the film does not propagate stereotypes or offensive terminology upon its release. The petition asks the CBFC to intervene by deleting the offending dialogue to prevent further offense to the community [1].
Ram Charan stars in the production, which has now faced this formal challenge regarding its script. The tribal body said the removal of the words is necessary to maintain social harmony, and respect the dignity of tribal populations [1, 2].
“A tribal rights body in Vizianagaram has asked the CBFC to delete allegedly derogatory words from Ram Charan’s film “Peddi”.”
This petition reflects a broader trend in India where community organizations utilize the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to challenge media content. By involving the CBFC, the group is attempting to use regulatory censorship to enforce legal standards against caste-based slurs or derogatory depictions before the film reaches a mass audience.
