Actress Swara Bhasker has sparked controversy again with her comments on the historical drama Chhaava and the recent Mahakumbh stampede. In a social media post, she compared the public outrage over the film’s depiction of Hindu torture to the reaction to the stampede, triggering strong criticism.
Bhasker’s post on X read, “A society that is more enraged at the heavily embellished partly fictionalised filmy torture of Hindus from 500 years ago than they are at the horrendous death by stampede & mismanagement + then alleged JCB bulldozer handling of corpses – is a brain & soul-dead society.”
The film, directed by Laxman Utekar and produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, is based on the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the eldest son of Shivaji Maharaj. Vicky Kaushal plays the titular role, with Rashmika Mandanna as Maharani Yesubai and Akshaye Khanna as Aurangzeb. Adapted from the Marathi novel Chhava by Shivaji Sawant, the film portrays the brutal torture of Sambhaji Maharaj by Mughal forces.
Her remarks have sparked a strong backlash, with many accusing her of distorting history and undermining Sambhaji Maharaj’s sacrifice. This is not the first time Bhasker has faced controversy for her opinions. She has previously claimed that her outspoken views have affected her career.