Swara Bhasker Questions Why People Are More Outraged By Chhaava’s ‘Filmy Torture’ Than The Mahakumbh Stampede

Swara Bhasker has sparked a debate with her latest social media post. She criticised the stark contrast in public reactions to the film ‘Chhaava’ and the recent stampede tragedy at Maha Kumbh. 

Swara Bhasker has sparked a debate with her latest social media post.

Source : Instagram/@reallyswara

Actor Swara Bhasker has once again sparked a debate with her latest social media post. She criticised the stark contrast in public reactions to the historical film ‘Chhaava’ and the recent stampede tragedy at Maha Kumbh. 

What Swara Bhasker said

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Swara shared her thoughts, writing, "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." 

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

Her remarks came in response to the intense emotional reactions surrounding ‘Chhaava’, which have flooded social media. The film, starring Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, depicts his brutal torture and execution by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. While many applauded Swara for addressing what they saw as misplaced priorities, others fiercely opposed her views. 

Netizens react

Swara’s statement divided netizens, with some echoing her concerns and others attacking her stance. 

One user agreed, stating, "100% yes! People love good drama, not reality. It seems everyone is running away from reality only to submerge in cinematic illusions." Another added, "Selective outrage speaks volumes. True justice means standing against all tragedies, past and present." 

Another wrote, “Are we more comfortable debating fiction than confronting the grim realities of our times? Swara’s point about selective outrage deserves introspection.” 

However, many slammed her take, with one user writing, " Fake claims as usual! No JCB was used for handling dead bodies, stop spreading misinformation. No one is denying unfortunate stampede; But it’s the public discussing the movie, not the govt. We know your hate for the film is for obvious reasons, but don’t try to demean sacrifice and suffering of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj.” 

Another harshly responded, "Wow, you’ve actually lost the plot." 

A third countered her argument by saying, "The historical reality was so horrifying that filmmakers had to tone it down just to release the movie. The Mughals were barbarians!" 

Chhaava's response

Despite the controversy, Chhaava has been performing exceptionally well at the box office. The period drama, which also stars Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna, Ashutosh Rana, Divya Dutta, and Vineet Kumar Singh, has already grossed over ₹200 crore worldwide within five days of release. Several viral videos show audiences moved to tears, shouting slogans in theaters, and reacting with strong emotions to the portrayal of Sambhaji Maharaj’s suffering. 

Maha Kumbh stampede

The Maha Kumbh stampede left at least 30 people dead and over 60 injured. Another tragic incident on February 15 saw 18 people, including children, lose their lives in a chaotic rush at New Delhi railway station as passengers tried to board trains for Prayagraj’s Maha Kumbh.