After numerous protests and controversies, Sanjay Leela Bhansali‘s magnum opus Padmaavat has finally hit the silver screen on January 25, 2018, and is doing well at the box office. Amidst controversies and threats, the audiences streamed into theatres across the country to watch the film.
The film has been getting mixed reviews from the audience. While some are impressed with Bhansali’s narration, there are a few who are showering with a lot of love and appreciation for Ranveer’s portrayal of Alauddin Khilji in the film. And there are people who are of an opinion that Padmaavat glorifies the practice of ‘Jauhar’.
Swara Bhasker’s mocking open letter to the director Sanjay Leela Bhansali was bound to create a cyclone of opinions and open floodgates of debates. She slammed the makers for Jauhar scene. While many agree with what Bhasker wrote in her article, others have pointed out holes in her arguments.
She expressed how she felt like a V**ina after seeing the glorification of Jauhar. Swara further said that she enjoys Bhansali’s movies, but this time, she was disappointed to see Jauhar being celebrated. Many celebrities from the film fraternity responded to Swara’s open letter, but everyone is waiting to hear Bhansali’s response.
Finally, he has broken the silence about the open letter and here’s what he said. In a recent interview, Bhansali gave an epic response to Swara Bhaskar’s thoughts on Jauhar. He clarified his stand and said,
“Jauhar, in this context, is an act of war. Our men have died on the battlefield, but the war doesn’t end there. They believe that the Rajputs have been vanquished. But, the women wage the [final] war. They decide that not a single woman or child would be subjugated to rape or violation. That’s what happened then. So, are people questioning Padmavati’s decision?”
He further said, “This film is based on a story in which the character performs Jauhar. The character doing so was convinced that it was an act of war. I feel it’s an empowering thought. She didn’t allow the enemy to win. It was a victory for dignity and honor. This is what transpired, and I can’t question her. In those days, when there was no solution, harakiri [method of suicide] was prevalent. I can’t question it. It is like asking why the Taj Mahal was made when the money spent in doing so could have been used for charity. Some will stand for it, some against it.”
From this, we come an understanding that according to Bhansali, the Jauhar scene depicts “Honor” and “Dignity” and it is not portraying women as weak.
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