Swara Bhasker Turns Off Comments on Janmashtami Post Amid Padmaavat Remark Controversy

Swara Bhasker has restricted comments on her latest Instagram post celebrating Janmashtami, as the actress continues to face online criticism over her comments about the jauhar sequence in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat. The actress shared an image depicting Lord Krishna’s childhood journey across the Yamuna but limited who could respond to the post.

Actress Swara Bhasker has restricted comments on her latest social media post amid the ongoing controversy surrounding her remarks about the jauhar sequence in Padmaavat.

On the occasion of Janmashtami, Swara shared a devotional painting depicting Vasudeva carrying infant Krishna across the Yamuna, with Sheshnag protecting the child from the storm.

The actress captioned the post simply, “Happy Janmashtami!”, along with folded-hands and blue-heart emojis.

However, comments on the post were restricted. Instagram displayed the message “Only some accounts can reply”, meaning the post was not open to comments from everyone.

The move comes amid heightened discussion around Swara’s recent comments about the portrayal of jauhar in Padmaavat.

Swara Bhasker’s Janmashtami Post Draws Attention

Swara’s Janmashtami post was religious in nature and did not directly address the controversy surrounding her Padmaavat remarks.

The painting she shared showed Vasudeva carrying the infant Krishna through the Yamuna River, with Sheshnag shielding the child from the elements.

Her brief caption marked the Hindu festival without making any reference to the criticism she has received in recent days.

The decision to restrict comments, however, quickly became part of the conversation surrounding the post.

It is not clear from the post itself whether Swara restricted comments specifically because of the current controversy. She has not publicly stated that the comments were limited because of the Padmaavat backlash.

Why Is Swara Bhasker Facing Backlash?

The controversy centres on comments Swara made about the jauhar sequence in Padmaavat.

While discussing the film, Swara questioned the message that audiences—particularly survivors of sexual violence—could take away from the depiction of women choosing jauhar.

In a video circulating online, she questioned whether such a portrayal could make a survivor feel that death was somehow necessary to preserve her honour.

Swara was heard saying that, if she herself had survived sexual violence, she might question what the film was trying to communicate through the scene.

She also raised concerns about the broader social implications of depicting honour and sexual violence in this way.

Swara Clarifies Her Comments

Following the criticism, Swara clarified that she was not calling Rani Padmavati or the women who performed jauhar “cowards.”

She said her remarks had been misunderstood or incorrectly translated and circulated online.

Her criticism, she explained, was directed at what she considered the problematic messaging of the cinematic depiction rather than at the historical or legendary figures involved in the story.

The distinction is significant because much of the online debate has centred on whether Swara was criticising the women depicted in the sequence or questioning the way the film presented their actions to a modern audience.

Swara Bhasker Had Criticised Padmaavat in 2018 Too

This is not the first time Swara has spoken publicly about the film’s jauhar sequence.

After watching Padmaavat in 2018, she wrote an open letter to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, explaining why the depiction had troubled her.

At the time, Swara’s letter also became a subject of considerable discussion and online debate.

Her latest comments have therefore revived a controversy that originally emerged around the film’s release.

What Is the Debate Around Padmaavat’s Jauhar Scene?

The jauhar sequence has long been one of the most debated portions of Padmaavat.

The 2018 film, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, draws from the literary tradition surrounding Rani Padmavati and the story of Chittor. Its depiction of jauhar has prompted different interpretations over the years.

For some viewers, the sequence represents a historical or cultural narrative associated with wartime circumstances and notions of honour.

For others, including Swara, the concern is how such imagery can be interpreted by contemporary audiences and what message it may send about women’s lives, dignity and survival after sexual violence.

That difference in interpretation is at the heart of the latest discussion.

Swara Bhasker’s Comments Continue to Generate Reactions

The controversy has led to strong reactions online, with supporters and critics debating the actress’s interpretation of the film.

However, claims and threats circulating on social media should not be treated as established facts unless independently verified through credible sources.

Swara’s decision to restrict comments on her Janmashtami post has added another development to the ongoing online conversation, although the actress has not said that the restriction was a direct response to the controversy.