After backlash, Swara Bhaskar defends statement, says critics twisting her words
Actress Swara Bhaskar is once again in the news for her remarks on the ‘Jauhar’ scene in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2018 film ‘Padmavat.’ At the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ event, Swara expressed her opinion, calling the scene problematic.
Following this, she faced criticism on social media. Now, the actress has shared a video clarifying her statement, stating that her words are being mistranslated and misinterpreted, claiming that she called Rani Padmavati and the women who committed Jauhar “cowards.”
Swara said that she did not say that at all. According to her, she was viewing the film’s climax in a different context, and her question was whether surviving a rape victim should be considered a matter of shame. The actress stated that her comment was not intended to label women who committed jauhar as cowards.
She also stated that rape has become a serious and widespread problem in society, and that in such an environment, the message of films should also be questioned. Swara questioned whether a woman’s “purity” should be considered more important than her life, and whether a rape victim should be made to feel that surviving is wrong.
In the context of her statement, the actress also invoked the courage of Nirbhaya and said that women’s will to live and struggle should not be underestimated. Following Swara’s original comment, many people criticized her interpretation of jauhar.
Critics argued that ‘Jauhar’ should not be viewed as cowardice, but in the context of the courage and circumstances of the women of that era. It is worth noting that in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Padmavat,” Deepika Padukone played Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor played Maharawal Ratan Singh, and Ranveer Singh played Alauddin Khilji.
