Actress Swara Bhaskar who became center of attraction after writing open letter to ‘Padmaavat’ filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali attended Nexbrands Vision Awards 2018 on Tuesday in Mumbai. After writing an open letter for the first time, during media interaction, Swara said that she didn’t had any kind of vicious intent to write letter to Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Swara Bhaskar had written a scathing letter on Saturday to filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali criticising the Jauhar scene that features Deepika Padukone. Swara said Bhansali, whom she respects and has worked for in ‘Guzaarish’, had set a dangerous precedent in questioning the laws of the land, so when Swara what prompted her to write an open letter to ‘Padmaavat’ maker, she said, “‘Padmaavat’ has became part of national conversation and I also want to remind people that from the beginning, I supported ‘Padmaavat, and criticized Shree Rajput Karni Sena only because each artist should have freedom to express their thoughts through their art in safer and democratic environment but once a film get released then it comes for public consumption and I feel this film became important film as it opened up discussion about so many issues so I thought that my questions about this film should also become part of that national level discussion and that’s why I publish this letter on a public platform”
“I think everyone in this country has freedom to express their opinions so whatever I felt about ‘Padmavaat’, I expressed through an open letter. I expressed my opinions in very polite and respectful manner. I didn’t had any kind of vicious intent about it. I had few questions in mind which I felt was very legit questions so I asked it and if people don’t agree that’s completely fine with me. We live in 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”
When asked Swara whether she thought that her open letter to Sanjay Leela Bhansali will become center of controversy after release of ‘Padmaavat’, she said, “I didn’t thought it will create such huge controversy and people who isn’t related with that film will get so hurt. I didn’t thought using word ‘Vagina’ will create such huge controversy. I just expressed my thoughts and then people expressed their opinions about the same so people shouldn’t feel hurt especially people who are not connected with that film.”
When asked Swara whether she wrote a letter to Bhansali for a publicity stunt or if anyone has offered her money to do so, to that, Swara rudely replied to media persons, “Will you give me money to speak? Till today, media hasn’t gave 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 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”
When asked Swara whether she think after writing a controversial letter to an Industry giant like Sanjay Leela Bhansali will affect her reputation in film industry or there will be reduced film offers to her in future as most of industry people are not in agreement with her views, “I didn’t gave much thought it before writing it as I didn’t had bad intensions 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 and I think it is good that its happening and apart from that, I didn’t thought people will take so much interest in my letter and I didn’t knew that people of India has so much interest in reading.”
Reacting on Swara’s letter, B-town celebrities like Rohit Shetty, Ayushmann Khurrana, Imtiaz Ali and Divya Dutta echoed that every filmmaker has his or her own perspective, which should be respected.
Meanwhile, ‘Padmaavat’ has earned an estimated Rs 124 crore nett at the domestic box office, according to a report on BoxofficeIndia.com.
Keeping in mind that the film did not release in a few Indian states, trade experts suggest that this film will soon become a super hit. With box office numbers on a rise, all eyes are now set on the 200 crore mark. ‘Padmaavat’ did not release in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Haryana after facing protests and destructive agitation from Rajput outfit Shri Rashtriya Karni Sena and other anti-social elements.
