Veteran actor Puneet Issar has responded to the controversy surrounding actress Swara Bhasker’s remarks about the 2019 Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi case. Issar, known for playing Duryodhan in Mahabharat, shared his views on celebrities making public comments about sensitive social and political issues.
Although he did not directly name Swara Bhasker, his comments came in the context of the debate surrounding her recent podcast appearance. Issar said that actors should be careful about entering controversies and argued that their primary responsibility as entertainers is to entertain audiences.
What Did Puneet Issar Say?
During a media interaction, Puneet Issar said that actors and actresses should avoid getting involved in controversies of this nature. He emphasised that artists have audiences across the country and should consider the impact of their public statements.
Issar said that if an actor wants to pursue social work or politics, they can choose those fields, but entertainers should focus on their profession.
He also questioned whether some controversial statements could be made for publicity, personal benefit or external support. These comments were Issar’s own views about the role of actors in public debates and were not presented as an independently established explanation for Swara Bhasker’s remarks.
Why Is Swara Bhasker’s Statement Being Discussed?
The controversy began after comments made by Swara Bhasker during an appearance on The Midnight Hour podcast resurfaced and circulated on social media.
During the conversation, Bhasker discussed her reaction to the 2019 Supreme Court judgment in the Ayodhya case. She said that she had been deeply upset by the verdict and described feeling ashamed as a Hindu. She also said that she messaged Muslim people in her phonebook, including actors Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, to express her feelings and apologise.
The remarks subsequently triggered criticism and discussion across social media platforms. Different users have interpreted her comments differently, making the issue a subject of renewed public debate.
The 2019 Ayodhya Verdict
The Supreme Court delivered its judgment in the Ayodhya land dispute in November 2019. The court directed that the disputed site be used for construction of a Ram temple and ordered that five acres of alternative land be provided to the Sunni Central Waqf Board for a mosque.
Swara Bhasker’s recent comments relate to her personal reaction to that judgment rather than representing a new legal challenge to the decision. The controversy surrounding her remarks is therefore primarily about her publicly expressed views and the reactions to them.
Puneet Issar on Actors and Controversies
Puneet Issar’s response has also reopened a broader conversation about the role of celebrities in public debates.
Actors have large audiences and their statements can attract considerable attention, particularly when they involve religion, politics or other sensitive social issues. At the same time, actors, like other citizens, may express personal opinions on issues outside their professional work.
Issar’s position is that artists should concentrate on entertainment rather than entering political or social controversies. He also said that people interested in politics or social work should pursue those fields directly. These are Issar’s stated views on the matter.
Swara Bhasker Has Faced Controversies Before
Swara Bhasker has previously been involved in public debates over comments on social and cultural issues.
One earlier controversy involved her response to the depiction of the jauhar sequence in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat. Bhasker had raised concerns about the portrayal and its possible message, while later explaining that some of her comments had been misunderstood or mistranslated.
The current controversy is separate and relates specifically to her comments about the 2019 Ayodhya verdict. Her recent remarks have again brought attention to her history of speaking publicly on contentious subjects.
What Is Next for Swara Bhasker?
On the professional front, Swara Bhasker is expected to appear as a contestant in the upcoming second season of the reality show Rise & Fall. The show is scheduled to premiere on Amazon MX Player on September 26, 2026, according to recent reports.
She also has Mrs. Falani, directed by Manish Kishore, in her film lineup. The movie was completed earlier, although its release date has not yet been announced.
Puneet Issar’s Career Continues
Puneet Issar has remained associated with Indian television and cinema for decades. He became widely known for portraying Duryodhan in the iconic television series Mahabharat and has subsequently appeared in numerous films and television projects.
He continues to be associated with entertainment projects, including his work as the host and sutradhaar of the crime series Shadyantra, which explores real-life crime cases and conspiracies.
His recent comments about Swara Bhasker therefore add another chapter to his public commentary on the entertainment industry and the responsibilities of actors in the age of social media.
A Debate About Celebrities and Public Statements
The Puneet Issar-Swara Bhasker controversy has brought attention to a larger question: should actors restrict themselves to entertainment, or should they also openly discuss social and political issues?
Issar has clearly expressed his preference for artists to focus on entertainment. Bhasker, meanwhile, has publicly discussed her personal views on sensitive issues in the past.
The disagreement highlights how statements by well-known actors can quickly become part of wider public debates, particularly when they involve religion, politics or major national events. As social media continues to amplify celebrity comments, the discussion around the public role of entertainers is likely to remain relevant.
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