“I Am Not Endorsing Jauhar In Padmaavat”, Says Sanjay Leela Bhansali

While refusing to react to actress Swara Bhaskar’s Open Letter condemning the alleged endorsement of the ancient practice of  Jauhar(self-immolation), filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali takes the opportunity to address the issue of jauhar.

“Nowhere in the entire episode showing these fabulously  brave women  perishing rather than succumbing  to the advances  of the invader have I come forward to express my own approval of  the  practice of jauhar.In Satyajit Ray’s Devi Sharmila Tagore’s character  is seen as a victim  of blind religious faith. It didn’t mean that Manikda(Ray) was endorsing blind faith.”

Related Post

   Bhansali dismisses the belief that he’s propagating jauhar in Padmaavat. “It’s like sayingRitwick Ghatak approved of tuberculosis in Meghe Dhaka Tara just because his heroine succumbed to  it…or that Hrishikesh Mukherjee endorsed cancer  in Anand…It is the story, it is what happened …Why must a filmmaker be answerable to socio-political interpretations for every action and reaction in his cinema?” asks  Bhansali.

 The filmmaker has received tremendous responses to the jauhar sequence. “Not all positive. But that’s okay. A  healthy debate  is an essential part of every democracy. I am glad my film is giving people a reason to think aloud.”

Vaibhav Choudhary

Leave a Comment
Leave a Comment
Published by
Vaibhav Choudhary

Recent Posts

“It’s  A  Different Kashmir Now,” Vedang Raina On His Recent Visit To The Valley

Have you  been mobbed after Jigra release? I haven’t really stepped out yet, so no… Read More

24th November 2024

All We Imagine As Light,  Magical Merger  Of  Workaday Reality & Surrealism

If you can get  across one major challenge  in the plot towards  the  end  of… Read More

24th November 2024

30 Years  Of Karan Arjun, Raakhee  Gulzar Reminisces

Rakesh Roshan’s  1994  blockbuster Karan  Johar has  re-opened in  movie theatres this week. Although the… Read More

24th November 2024

“Nowadays  I’m Living Out Of Suitcases,”  Shabana Azmi Sighs  Before Taking Off To Be Honoured At The Nantes Film Festival

Shabana  Azmi is  in and out of cities  these days .Shabana Azmi’s  50 year journey… Read More

17th November 2024

Mithya The Darker Chapter  Gives A Good Name To  Sequels

Mithya The Darker Chapter  Gives A Good Name To  Sequels Rating: *** ½ Applause Entertainment’s  Mithya:… Read More

8th November 2024

Citadel: Honey Bunny, & A Run For Their  Money

Citadel: Honey Bunny, & A  Run For Their  Money Rating: ****  To set  the record straight,  Raj-DK’s  Indian avatar … Read More

8th November 2024