Swara Bhasker reacts after facing backlash over 'problematic' remark on Padmaavat’s Jauhar scene

Swara Bhasker. Pic via Instagram

Bollywood actress Swara Bhasker recently found herself at the receiving end of heavy backlash online over her recent remarks. The actress, who is known for her controversial statements, called the Jauhar sequence in Deepika Padukone's 2018 film Padmaavat "problematic." Criticising the scene in which women perform the act of Jauhar, the actress questioned if rape should be considered the end of a woman's life. Now, she has reacted to the backlash via an Instagram Story.

Swara Bhasker reacts to criticism

Swara took to her Instagram Stories to post a photo with the caption, "It is WILD that so many people are triggered (women included) by the basic idea that rape survivors have a right to life after rape! (sic)"

Notably, Swara's earlier comments sparked objection from many who disagreed with her on social media. Many accused the actress of disrespecting the historical tradition of Jauhar as well as the women associated with it. Many went on to say that her comments defamed the dignity and honour of Rajput women.

Swara Bhasker's remark on Padmaavat's Jauhar scene

Swara recently sparked a debate around the 8-year-old film once again. While speaking at an event in Delhi, the actress recalled watching the film's Jauhar sequence wherein 800 women perform Jauhar, saying, "I'm watching this and all of these 800 women committing Jauhar... God forbid if I was a rape survivor, what is this film telling me? I would feel like a coward. That I didn't kill myself to save my ‘honour'."

She further recalled a particular scene from the film, saying it left her "so mad" and made her react with "chi." She was referring to the scene wherein a pregnant woman commits Jauhar. Questioning the sequence, she asked, "So, you are saying that a fetus that might be a female does not deserve to be born because she might be raped by a Muslim ruler?"

The actress added that she waited for five days to see whether she still felt the same way about the scene before writing her open letter to filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. She highlighted that the central point of her letter was that "Women are more than their private parts."