Swara Bhasker Revisits Controversial ‘Padmaavat’ Open Letter: Recalls Visceral Reaction to Climax Jauhar Scene

Actor Swara Bhasker’s public critique of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2018 period drama Padmaavat remains one of the most widely discussed instances of film criticism originating from within the Hindi film industry. Reflecting on her initial viewing of the film’s climax which depicts the practice of jauhar (mass self-immolation) Bhasker recalled an instinctive reaction of visceral discomfort, describing her feeling as an emphatic "chii" at the cinematic glorification of the act.

Her initial reaction at the screening subsequently led to her famous open letter published in January 2018, where she wrote that the film’s grand visual framing of jauhar left her feeling "reduced to a vagina." The essay sparked an intense nationwide debate regarding directorial gaze, feminist agency, and historical representation in mainstream Indian cinema.

The Core Arguments of the 2018 Open Letter

Published shortly after Padmaavat hit theaters following months of political unrest and threats from right-wing groups, Bhasker’s open letter was notable because she had previously supported the film’s right to release without censorship. However, once she watched the finished feature starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh, her focus shifted to its ideological subtext.

In her published essay on The Wire, Bhasker acknowledged Bhansali’s visual artistry while directly challenging the thematic narrative of the climax:

"You made me feel that I was watching a film that was arguing that the ultimate accomplishment of a woman, her highest purpose, her supreme honor, is in ending her own life when her man is killed... At the end of your opus, I felt reduced to a vagina only."

Bhasker argued that while jauhar was a historical reality of medieval India, presenting the act with triumphant background music, ethereal lighting, and slow-motion grandeur effectively exalted female self-destruction over survival. She emphasized that women ought to be viewed as complete human beings entitled to life, agency, and choices even in defeat rather than being framed strictly through the prism of patriarchal honor tied to their bodies.

Industry Counter-Reactions and Public Response

The publication of the letter immediately polarized the film fraternity and moviegoers alike. At the time, several industry figures criticized Bhasker for launching an ideological attack on Bhansali when the director and his cast were already navigating severe external pressure and violence from organizations like the Rajput Karni Sena.

• Shahid Kapoor’s Response: Speaking to media outlets during promotional rounds, actor Shahid Kapoor, who played Maharawal Ratan Singh in the film, called the letter "frivolous" and suggested that Bhasker had missed the historical context of the narrative, asserting that the film depicted events of the 13th century rather than advocating modern practices.

• Director and Production Team Stance: Representatives and defenders of the film maintained that Padmaavat was an adaptation of Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s 16th-century epic poem, intended to portray Rajput valor and historical choices rather than serve as a contemporary social commentary.

Despite the pushback, feminist scholars and several film critics validated Bhasker’s critique, arguing that filmmakers bear responsibility for how historical atrocities and patriarchal customs are aestheticized on screen.

A Landmark Moment in Industry Self-Critique

In subsequent years and retrospective interviews, Bhasker has stood firmly by her original essay, emphasizing that her intention was never personal malice toward Bhansali, whom she has repeatedly praised as a master visual stylist. Instead, she maintained that art must remain open to rigorous political and gender-based interrogation.

The incident marked a rare moment in Bollywood where an active, mainstream performer publicly engaged in high-stakes intellectual criticism against a premier auteur, challenging the industry's traditional culture of silent conformity.

The Celebrity Hour Take

Swara Bhasker’s open letter regarding Padmaavat remains a watershed moment for gender critique in Hindi cinema. By voicing a visceral, uncomfortable truth about how female sacrifice is often romanticized under the guise of historical grandeur, Bhasker disrupted the long-standing industry norm where actors refrain from publicly questioning major directors.

The debate highlighted a crucial distinction that remains relevant today: the difference between depicting historical tragedy and glorifying it through cinematic spectacle. Whether one agreed with her tone or timing, Bhasker’s critique forced mainstream Bollywood to reckon with the ideological impact of its directorial choices and opened up a necessary space for feminist film analysis within popular culture.

Sources & Verification

This report was prepared by analyzing Swara Bhasker’s original open letter published on The Wire (January 2018), public archival interviews and press statements given by Shahid Kapoor and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s team, and subsequent video interviews where Bhasker reflected on the controversy. Key quotes were verified against published primary texts and broadcast records.