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Swara Bhaskar Says Padmaavat Criticism Ruined Her Acting Career
Swara Bhaskar is an actor who spoke at a public event in New Delhi.
She criticized a scene in the film Padmaavat that shows women committing jauhar.
She said the scene could make rape survivors feel that suicide is the only way to protect their honor.
Bhaskar had previously defended the film when it faced attacks from the Karni Sena.
She said her public letter criticizing the scene angered some male film directors.
According to her, speaking about politics and social issues has hurt her acting career.
She also said she feels able to speak because she grew up with safety and privilege.
At the event, she talked about feminism, protests, Gaza, and her love of acting.
She said people should fight for the India described in the Constitution.
Swara Bhaskar said Padmaavat’s jauhar scene sends a harmful message to rape survivors.
She said her open letter criticizing the scene led to angry calls from male directors.
Bhaskar said her political opinions and public activism have damaged her acting opportunities.
She explained that her willingness to speak out comes partly from her upper-middle-class privilege and personal security.
At an India International Centre event, she discussed feminism, protests, Gaza, love, and her film career.
- Who
- Actor Swara Bhaskar, speaking with author Sujata Prasad and actor Oroon Das.
- What
- Bhaskar criticized Padmaavat’s jauhar scene and discussed its effect on rape survivors, her career, feminism, and political activism.
- Where
- India International Centre in New Delhi.
- When
- 31 August; the article identifies the event as taking place on a Sunday but does not give a year.
- Why
- Bhaskar said the scene presents suicide as connected to female honor and that her criticism and political positions have affected her professional opportunities.
Key facts
- Film discussed
- Padmaavat
- Director addressed
- Sanjay Leela Bhansali
- Event
- Women | Life | Freedom talk
- Venue
- India International Centre, New Delhi
- Career claim
- Bhaskar said her reaction to Padmaavat “ruined” her career.
- Earlier defense
- She had defended Padmaavat when it was attacked by the Karni Sena.
- Other subjects
- Feminism, minority rights, interfaith marriage, Gaza, and protests in India
Quotes
Swara Bhasker
Actor who criticised the jauhar scene in Padmaavat.
“Is this what we want to tell our survivors that they don’t deserve to live, that if you actually would have been an honourable and brave woman, you would have killed yourself? Are we saying that rape is the end of a woman’s life? This scene was so problematic.”
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“We are fighting for India. The India of our Constitution, the India we love. And so we must fight for it.”
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