Actress Swara Bhasker raised questions regarding the depiction of *Jauhar* in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film *Padmaavat*. Her statement drew significant criticism on social media, prompting her to issue a clarification. However, protests against the actress have now erupted in Agra; a group burned her posters and trampled them underfoot.

**Which organization staged the protest?**
On Tuesday, Kunwar Ajay Tomar, the state president of the 'Yogi Youth Brigade,' led the protest. He criticized Bhasker for questioning the courage and sacrifice of Rani Padmavati and the other Rajput women who performed *Jauhar*. He alleged that the actress lacked an understanding of the historical circumstances of that era.

**What reward did the organization announce?**
During the protest, Tomar announced a reward of ₹1.51 lakh for anyone who cuts off Swara Bhasker's tongue. Additionally, he used abusive language against the actress.

**When did the controversy begin?**
The controversy began on August 31 when Bhasker spoke about the *Jauhar* scene in the film *Padmaavat* at an event in Delhi. She argued that portraying *Jauhar* as an act of honor could send the wrong message to rape survivors. She questioned whether a woman's purity should be considered more valuable than her life.

**What did Swara Bhasker say in her clarification?**
Later, Swara Bhasker posted a video on Instagram clarifying that she had not called Rani Padmavati or the other women cowards. She stated that her concern was regarding what modern films choose to glorify and emphasized that a rape survivor should never feel less courageous simply because she survived.

**Debate on social media**
The controversy also sparked a debate on social media between Swara Bhasker and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi regarding the issues of 'choice' and the 'glorification of *Jauhar*.'

**What did the film's writer say in clarification?** Prakash Kapadia, the writer of the film 'Padmaavat', also weighed in on the matter. Speaking to *Hindustan Times*, Kapadia said, "We made this film based on our research and accounts found in history books. Everyone interprets a film differently. What we depicted—including the *Jauhar* scene—reflected the reality of that era. That cannot be changed now. The situation was a 'do-or-die' one."

What was the box office collection of 'Padmaavat'?
The film 'Padmaavat' was mired in controversy even before its release.
Violent protests erupted in some places over alleged historical distortion.
There were also demands to ban the film.
Following the protests, the film's title was changed from 'Padmavati' to 'Padmaavat'.
Despite this, the film proved to be a blockbuster.
According to Sacnilk, it grossed over ₹585 crore worldwide.

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