Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Preity Zinta defends Batwara 1947 after comments spark debate
An actress named Preity Zinta is in a new movie called Batwara 1947.
She told a magazine that her character mostly cooks, cleans, and sews.
When people heard this, many of them started talking about how women are shown in movies.
Some people wrote articles saying this was a problem.
Preity said she was surprised that everyone reacted so quickly.
She explained that her words were taken out of context.
She said the movie is about one particular family, so her character does not represent all women.
She thinks it is unfair to judge the movie before seeing it.
She asked everyone to watch the movie on August 14th and then decide what they think.
She also said reporters should write stories that are fair.
Preity Zinta defended the upcoming film Batwara 1947 after her comment that her character primarily 'cooks, cleans and stitches' sparked debate.
She responded to an opinion piece by ThePrint, saying her take on her filming experience was 'totally taken out of context.'
Zinta said people are 'too quick to judge' and that the film deals with a particular family, with 'no broad strokes.'
She called judging the film or director Rajkumar Santoshi without seeing it 'both unfair and unjust.'
Zinta urged people to watch the film on 14th August before forming an opinion and said journalism should be 'responsible and fair.'
- Who
- Preity Zinta, star of the upcoming period drama Batwara 1947, along with director Rajkumar Santoshi and ThePrint, which published the opinion piece.
- What
- Zinta defended her earlier comments that her character mainly cooks, cleans and stitches in Batwara 1947, after they sparked debate over the film's portrayal of women.
- When
- Ahead of the film's release on 14th August; the exact date of the exchange is not stated.
- Where
- Not explicitly stated in the article; the discussion unfolded through an exclusive interview with SCREEN and in public media responses.
- Why
- Her remarks raised questions about how women are portrayed in the film, prompting her to say her comments were taken out of context and to ask critics to judge the film after seeing it.
Critics' viewpoint
Preity Zinta's defense
Portrayal of women in Batwara 1947
Critics' viewpoint
A character who mainly cooks, cleans and stitches raised concerns about how women are depicted in the period drama, with several opinions formed after Zinta's comments went viral.
Preity Zinta's defense
The comment was taken out of context; the film deals with a particular family, the role should not be judged in broad strokes, and judging the film or director without seeing it is unfair and unjust.
- Film
- Batwara 1947
- Director
- Rajkumar Santoshi
- Lead actress
- Preity Zinta
- Release date
- 14th August
- Character activities highlighted
- Cooking, cleaning and stitching
- Source of her comments
- Exclusive conversation with SCREEN
- Criticism responded to
- Opinion piece published by ThePrint