Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Maithili Thakur Criticises Swara Bhasker Over Padmaavat Jauhar Remarks
Maithili Thakur criticised Swara Bhasker for comments about a scene in the film Padmaavat.
The scene shows Rajput women taking part in Jauhar, described in the article as mass self-immolation to avoid capture.
Swara said the scene was problematic and could make rape survivors feel that they should have died.
She was especially disturbed by a shot showing a pregnant woman joining the Jauhar.
Maithili said Swara made an ugly remark without understanding the subject.
She told Swara to study the topic before speaking about it.
Actor Ranvir Shorey also criticised Swara’s comparison.
Padmaavat was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Bihar BJP MLA and singer Maithili Thakur criticised actress Swara Bhasker’s comments about the Jauhar scene in Padmaavat.
Swara said the scene could send a harmful message to rape survivors by linking honour with suicide.
She described the close-up of a pregnant woman participating in Jauhar as particularly disturbing.
Maithili called Swara’s remarks ugly and urged her to study the subject before speaking about it.
Actor Ranvir Shorey also questioned Swara’s comparison between Jauhar and rape survivors.
- Who
- Maithili Thakur criticised Swara Bhasker; Ranvir Shorey also challenged Swara’s comments.
- What
- The dispute concerns Swara Bhasker’s criticism of the Jauhar sequence in Padmaavat.
- When
- Swara made the remarks at an event in New Delhi earlier in the week; Maithili later spoke to the media.
- Where
- Maithili made her comments in Raipur, while Swara’s remarks were made at an event in New Delhi.
- Why
- Swara argued that the scene could send a harmful message to rape survivors, while her critics rejected or condemned that interpretation.
Swara Bhasker’s Concern
Critics’ Response
Meaning and impact of the scene
Swara Bhasker’s Concern
Swara said the Jauhar sequence was problematic because it could make rape survivors feel that they should have killed themselves to preserve their honour.
Critics’ Response
Maithili Thakur said Swara made an uninformed and inappropriate remark, while Ranvir Shorey argued that Jauhar and rape survivors were being wrongly compared.
Depiction of women in Jauhar
Swara Bhasker’s Concern
Swara said the image of a pregnant woman participating in Jauhar particularly disturbed her.
Critics’ Response
Maithili said Swara should first study the subject before commenting on the scene.
- Film
- Padmaavat
- Director
- Sanjay Leela Bhansali
- Disputed scene
- The Jauhar sequence near the end of the film
- Swara Bhasker’s concern
- She said the scene could imply that honourable or brave women should die rather than survive rape.
- Maithili Thakur’s response
- She called Swara’s remark ugly and said Swara should study the subject before discussing it.
- Additional criticism
- Ranvir Shorey questioned Swara’s connection between Jauhar and rape survivors.
- Lead cast
- Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh