Poonam Pandey has reacted strongly to Swara Bhasker’s comments about the jauhar sequence in Padmaavat, saying she was disappointed by the actress’s criticism of the film.
Speaking exclusively to IANS, Poonam said she had once been a fan of Swara and had viewed her as an educated and intelligent person. However, she made it clear that she did not agree with Swara’s interpretation of the controversial sequence in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2018 period drama.
“I used to be her fan, a long time ago. Now, whatever she said… She shouldn’t have said that,” Poonam said.
She also questioned the criticism directed at the filmmakers, arguing that Padmaavat was presented as a film based on historical material rather than an entirely fictional story.
What Did Poonam Pandey Say About Swara Bhasker?
Poonam did not hold back while discussing Swara’s remarks.
She described the comments as disappointing and said she had previously considered Swara to be “so educated and so smart.”
Poonam argued that Bhansali’s film was attempting to depict a historical narrative and maintained that the filmmakers had not simply invented the story.
“I have a lot of anger inside me. No, I don’t want to… Because it’s a very stupid thing to say something like this,” Poonam said during the interaction.
She went on to express her frustration over what she believed was an inappropriate criticism of the film.
Poonam’s comments represent her personal response to the debate surrounding Padmaavat and should be viewed in that context.
Why Is Swara Bhasker’s Padmaavat Comment Being Discussed?
Swara Bhasker’s comments centred on the way the film depicts jauhar, the historical practice involving the mass self-immolation of women in certain historical circumstances, particularly in narratives associated with warfare and defeat.
Speaking at a “Woman Life Freedom” discussion at the India International Centre in Delhi on August 31, Swara questioned the message that such a cinematic portrayal could potentially communicate to women, particularly survivors of sexual violence.
She raised concerns about whether the sequence could inadvertently suggest that death is preferable to surviving sexual assault.
Swara Bhasker Questioned the Message of the Scene
While discussing the film, Swara said she found the portrayal deeply problematic from the perspective of a rape survivor.
She questioned whether a woman watching the scene could interpret it as suggesting that suicide is the only way to preserve honour after sexual violence.
The actress’s broader argument was about the potential social impact of representations of sexual violence and women’s honour in popular cinema.
Her criticism was therefore not simply about the historical event itself, but about how such an event is framed for a contemporary audience.
The Jauhar Sequence in Padmaavat
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Padmaavat was inspired by Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s 16th-century epic poem Padmavat.
The film starred Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji.
The film generated significant controversy even before its release, particularly over questions surrounding its portrayal of Rajput history and the character of Rani Padmavati.
The depiction of jauhar towards the conclusion became one of the most discussed aspects of the film.
While supporters of the movie viewed the sequence within the historical and literary framework of the story, critics have questioned whether such imagery should be presented without sufficient examination of its implications for modern audiences.
Poonam Pandey and Swara Bhasker Offer Different Perspectives
The latest exchange highlights two very different approaches to interpreting the same cinematic sequence.
Poonam’s defence focuses on the film’s historical basis and the filmmakers’ intention to present the story within that framework.
Swara’s criticism focuses on representation and the possible effect that the imagery could have on contemporary viewers, particularly women who have experienced sexual violence.
Neither perspective eliminates the larger debate around how historical trauma, violence and women’s experiences should be represented on screen.
Padmaavat Remains a Discussed Film Years After Its Release
Padmaavat was released in 2018 after a prolonged period of controversy and scrutiny.
The film’s production, marketing and eventual release were accompanied by debates about history, artistic freedom and representation.
Even years later, individual aspects of the movie continue to generate discussion, particularly when actors and public figures revisit the film from different perspectives.
Poonam Pandey’s latest comments have now brought the jauhar sequence back into the spotlight.
The Larger Conversation Around Women and Historical Cinema
The disagreement also reflects a broader question facing filmmakers: How should difficult historical practices involving women, violence and honour be represented for modern audiences?
Period films often attempt to recreate events and social attitudes from another era, but contemporary viewers inevitably interpret those images through present-day values.
That can create tension between historical representation and the responsibility of filmmakers to consider how audiences may understand what they see.
In the case of Padmaavat, that tension has remained part of the film’s public conversation.
Poonam Pandey has now made her position clear, while Swara Bhasker’s earlier remarks continue to represent a contrasting view on the sequence.
