Padmaavat Writer Prakash Kapadia REACTS To Swara Bhasker’s Jauhar Remarks; Says, “Reality Of Those Times Can’t Be Changed”

The debate surrounding the Jauhar sequence in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat has resurfaced after Swara Bhasker questioned its depiction. Now, Prakash Kapadia, who co-wrote the period drama with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, has defended the filmmakers’ approach. Kapadia said the team based the film on their research and historical sources. He maintained that the controversial sequence reflected the circumstances of the period portrayed in the film. Scroll down to read the full article.

Padmaavat Writer Prakash Kapadia REACTS To Swara Bhasker’s Jauhar Remarks

“We made the film according to our research and what is written in history books,” Kapadia said while speaking to the Hindustan Times. The writer also stressed that viewers can interpret a film differently. However, he said the Jauhar sequence represented the harsh realities of that period.

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“Every person interprets the film differently. What we showed, including the jauhar scene, was the reality of those times; it cannot be changed now. The situation was that of ‘do or die’. Woh log (the male warriors) kesariya kar ke utare thhe.”

Prakash Kapadia Defends Jauhar Scene

Kapadia’s comments come amid renewed criticism of the way Jauhar was presented in Padmaavat. Swara Bhasker had previously described the portrayal as problematic, sparking discussions about the film’s treatment of history. Kapadia said he had not been closely following Swara’s comments. He also suggested that audiences approach films with different expectations and attitudes.

He added, “It depends on the person’s mood; even if it’s a good film and you watch it with a bad state of mind, you will find it bekaar. It’s also about intention; whether you are going as a viewer, or watching it to find something controversial, or to find negativity… With Padmaavat, people had raised objections even before watching the film and had protested on the streets. The same conversation is continuing years later, so what can I say? Let people say what they want to.”

What Does Kesariya Mean?

Kapadia also referred to the practice of male warriors wearing saffron before entering battles they were unlikely to survive. This tradition is commonly associated with Rajput warfare and is known as Kesariya. The practice represented a final battle in circumstances where victory was considered impossible, with the men entering combat prepared to fight until death. The Jauhar sequence in Padmaavat was presented alongside this historical context. Kapadia argued that these elements were part of the reality the filmmakers were attempting to portray.

Padmaavat Controversy Before Release

Padmaavat was surrounded by controversy long before its theatrical release. Several groups raised objections to the film during its production and before audiences could watch the finished movie, while protests were held in different parts of the country.

The controversy centred on the film’s portrayal of Rajput history and its central characters. Despite the disputes, Padmaavat eventually released in 2018. The film starred Deepika Padukone as Rani Padmavati, Shahid Kapoor as Maharawal Ratan Singh and Ranveer Singh as Alauddin Khilji. It was inspired by Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s 16th-century epic poem Padmavat.

Prakash Kapadia’s Projects

Prakash Kapadia has worked extensively on films drawing from history and mythology. His writing credits include Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat. He was also associated with Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and Gangubai Kathiawadi.

Kapadia’s latest screenwriting project is the 2026 adventure drama Krishnavataram – Part 1: The Heart.

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Also Read: Swara Bhasker Clarifies Padmaavat Jauhar Scene Remarks; Says, ” Never Called Rani Padmavati Coward”

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