Swara Bhaskar
| Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT
Actress Swara Bhasker has sparked controversy with her recent remarks comparing the reaction to the “partly fictionalised filmy torture of Hindus” in Chhaava to the response over the Mahakumbh stampede tragedy. Her statement, posted on X, has been met with widespread criticism, with many accusing her of downplaying historical atrocities and hurting Indian sentiments.The historical action film Chhaava, directed by Laxman Utekar and starring Vicky Kaushal, portrays the brutal execution of Maratha king Sambhaji at the hands of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The film has been performing exceptionally well at the box office, earning praise for its depiction of Maratha valor.

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. #IYKYK— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) February 18, 2025

Bhasker’s remarks drew intense criticism primarily because of her comparison between the outrage over Chhaava and the reaction to the Mahakumbh stampede. In her post, she questioned why people were more enraged over the depiction of Hindu suffering in a historical film than at the real-life tragedy of the Mahakumbh stampede, which claimed at least 30 lives due to mismanagement. She also referenced the alleged use of bulldozers to handle the victims’ bodies, calling it a reflection of a “brain & soul-dead society.”Many saw this comparison as an attempt to downplay the brutal execution of Sambhaji Maharaj, which historians agree was a real event. Critics argued that both events were tragic in their own right and should not be pitted against each other.Journalist Swati Chaturvedi responded, urging Bhasker to “rethink” her stance, asserting that the torture inflicted on Sambhaji Maharaj was a historical fact, not fiction. Supreme Court advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai also slammed Bhasker, calling her remarks “deeply offensive and hurtful,” accusing her of deliberately provoking religious tensions.

“Fictionalised filmy torture of Hindus”?!How dare you seek to make light of the supreme sacrifice made by Sambhaji Maharaj – who was brutally tortured and murdered by the wicked Mughal coward Aurangzeb!Swara Bhaskar – your deeply offensive and hurtful statement, that too on… https://t.co/Zj58gkeIrk— Jai Anant Dehadrai (@jai_a_dehadrai) February 19, 2025

Many social media users expressed their disapproval, arguing that Bhasker’s comments insulted the legacy of Sambhaji Maharaj and disrespected the emotions of millions of Indians. Published – February 20, 2025 10:33 am IST