Cinema VinesSwara Bhasker, the Bollywood actress known for her roles in Queen and Haraamkhor, recently faced a backlash over comments she made about the Jauhar scene in Deepika Padukone’s 2018 film Padmaavat. The actress had spoken at the Woman, Life, Freedom event at the India International Centre in Delhi on 31 August, where she criticised the film’s depiction of the mass self‑immolation of the women of Chittor’s royal palace. She said the scene sent a wrong message to survivors of sexual violence, a stance that was quickly taken up by social media users and critics alike.
In the days that followed, a clip of Bhasker’s remarks began circulating online. The clip was taken from a discussion where the actress had been asked why she had sent an open letter to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali after watching the movie. In the clip, Bhasker was heard saying that she had called Rani Padmaavati and the other women who committed Jauhar “cowards.” The statement was widely shared, and many people accused the actress of disrespecting the historical figure and the women’s sacrifice.
On Tuesday, Bhasker took to Instagram to set the record straight. In a video she posted, the actress explained that her words had been misinterpreted and that she had never used the word “coward.” She clarified that she was speaking about the broader context of rape culture in India, saying that she felt it was wrong for a film to suggest that a woman’s purity is more valuable than her life. She added that her comment was meant to highlight how a rape survivor might feel “cowardly” if she survived and did not take her own life, rather than to insult the historical figures.
Bhasker also pointed to the prevalence of sexual violence in the country, citing a recent gang‑rape incident in Delhi where a girl was allegedly assaulted over a 36‑kilometre stretch inside a vehicle. She argued that society’s continued tolerance of such acts creates an environment where the Jauhar narrative can be misused. “This is the reality of our country,” she said. “Should we make films that send the message that a woman’s purity is more valuable than her life?”
While the actress has denied calling Padmaavati a coward, her comments have sparked a broader debate about how historical events are portrayed in cinema and the responsibility of filmmakers to handle sensitive subjects with care. The controversy also highlights the challenges actors face when they speak out on social issues, as their words can quickly be taken out of context and amplified across social media platforms.
