Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali has now opened up about the act of jauhar and sati committed in the film at the end. He explained that it was an act of war in the context of the film. The Rajput women wage the final war they believe stated the filmmaker. As much has been spoken about the whole jauhar act in the film, an open letter was also written on it.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “Jauhar, in this context, is an act of war. Our men have died on the battlefield, but the war doesn’t end there. They believe that the Rajputs have been vanquished. But, the women wage the [final] war.” The story reportedly tells that Rani Padmavati who commits jauhar an act of self-immolation, with a thousand other women upon learning that they will all be captured by Khilji and his forces. Swara recently wrote an open letter to Bhansali, saying how his film made her feel as if her entire being is reduced to a vagina and how women have a right to live even if they are raped and otherwise also.
The filmmaker further added, “They decide that not a single woman or child would be subjugated to rape or violation. That’s what happened then. So, are people questioning Padmavati’s decision?.”
Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “This film is based on a story in which the character performs jauhar. The character doing so was convinced that it was an act of war. I feel it’s an empowering thought. She didn’t allow the enemy to win. It was a victory for dignity and honour. This is what transpired, and I can’t question her. In those days, when there was no solution, harakiri [method of suicide] was prevalent. I can’t question it. It is like asking why the Taj Mahal was made when the money spent in doing so could have been used for charity. Some will stand for it, some against it.”
