Actress Swara Bhasker, known for her outspoken stance on all social issues and films, once again recalled her vocal protest against Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film 'Padmavat,' released in 2017. Swara stated that the jauhar scene at the end of the film deeply concerned her.
Recently, during a panel discussion titled 'Women's Freedom of Life' at the Indian International Centre in Delhi, Swara explained what prompted her to write the letter to the director. She noted that the story of the jauhar involving around 800 women raised a serious question for her.
She was worried about how such a story would affect survivors of sexual violence. She feared that viewers might interpret it as a signal that if they experienced sexual assault, their life was over, or they should commit suicide to preserve 'honor.' Swara questioned whether they wanted to tell their survivors that they had no right to live, asking: 'If you were a brave and respected woman, would you kill yourself?'
Furthermore, she was outraged by a specific shot showing a close-up of a pregnant woman's abdomen. In Swara's opinion, this moment could imply that giving birth to a child who might become a victim of sexual violence is a mistake. Looking at this scene, she was so distressed in the theater that she loudly exclaimed, 'Ugh!'
Swara clarified that she did not write the letter immediately; she spent about five days processing her feelings before deciding to approach Sanjay Leela Bhansali. She refuted the notion that her reaction was impulsive, emphasizing that the letter was written after careful consideration.
She also mentioned one phrase from her letter, saying she wanted to convey the idea that women are not limited only to their bodies. However, this phrase was presented by the media in a completely different light, becoming a headline. Swara complained that instead of reading the entire letter, people only saw the headline and drew a completely different conclusion from it.
Before the release of 'Padmavat,' the film was already surrounded by controversy. The movie faced criticism for distorting historical facts, and Rajput organizations held protests across the country. The film's original title was 'Padmavati,' which was later changed to 'Padmavat.' Regarding Swara's career, she last acted in the show 'Patni, Patni Aur Panga,' and her latest film was 'Jahan Char Yaar,' released in 2022.