Mumbai
January 31, 2018
Defending her stance on "Padmaavat" that it made her feel
reduced to a "vagina only", actress Swara Bhasker has said the questions she
raised via her lengthy open letter were legitimate and should have become a part
of national level discussion.
Asked what prompted her to write an open
letter to the "Padmaavat" filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Swara said here:
"'Padmaavat' has become part of national conversation and I also want to remind
people that from the beginning, I supported 'Padmaavat', and criticized The
Shree Rajput Karni Sena only because each artist should have freedom to express
their thoughts through their art in a safer and democratic environment.
"But once a film get released, then it comes for public consumption and I feel
this film became an important film for our country as it opened up a discussion
about so many issues. I thought that my questions about this film should also
become a part of that national level discussion and that's why I published this
letter on a public platform."
Swara spoke out about it on the sidelines
of the Nexbrands Vision Awards 2018 on Tuesday here.
Her letter last week
was a scathing comment, criticising the Jauhar scene that features the film's
lead actress Deepika Padukone.
Swara said watching the glorification of
Jauhar (self-immolation), she felt like a woman was being reduced to "vagina
only". She got trolled also on the social media.
"I think everyone in
this country has freedom to express their opinions, so whatever I felt about
'Padmavaat', I expressed through an open letter," she said, stressing that she
expressed her opinion in a "very polite and respectful manner" and did not have
any vicious intent behind it.
"I had a few questions in mind which I felt
was very legit questions, so I asked it. If people do not agree, that's
completely fine with me. We live in a democracy, so it's a nice thing that we
have difference in opinions on issues and I think we should have debate and
discussions because art always has that intent," she said.
Known for
films like "Nil Battey Sannata", "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo", "Anarkali of Aarah" and
more, Swara has also been a part of Bhansali's "Guzaarish".
Asked if she
sees her free opinion affecting her reputation in the film industry or a chance
of reduced film offers, she said: "I didn't give much thought to it before
writing it as I didn't have bad intentions about the film or anybody related
with the film.
"I asked legit questions and I think this kind of
conversation is necessary in our society. I think it is good that it's happening
and apart from that, I didn't think people will take so much interest in my
letter. I didn't know that people of India have so much interest in reading."
Besides that, she said she never thought the word "vagina" would create
"such a controversy".
The actress became angry when asked if she wrote
the letter to Bhansali as a publicity stunt or if anyone offered her money to do
so.
Swara said: "Will you give me money to speak? Till today, media
hasn't given me money, so next time when you want to ask question to me like
that, you should pay me first to answer it.
"See.. people can easily
target a female actor when such type of a controversy happens, saying that she
has received money to speak on such issue or she has bad character or she is
jealous or she is doing all this to garner public attention. So all these talks
about me has happened earlier as well, so I don't think I need to respond to
these rubbish talks."