Mumbai, September 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Veteran actor Puneet Issar has criticised actress Swara Bhasker over her remarks about the 2019 Ayodhya Ram Janmabhoomi verdict, saying artists should avoid getting drawn into controversies and focus on entertaining audiences.
Speaking exclusively to IANS about Bhasker’s comments, Issar said artists have a responsibility to entertain people and should consider entering social activism or politics if they want to pursue those roles.
“First of all, one should not get involved in such controversies. We are artists. We should take care of our 140 crore people. Your job is to entertain. You just entertain. You just perform. If you want to be a social activist, if you want to go into politics, then you should do that,” Issar said.
The Mahabharat actor was responding to a question about Bhasker’s recent remarks regarding the Ayodhya verdict and her account of having written to Bollywood actors Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan after the judgment.
Issar further criticised what he described as making controversial statements for publicity or personal benefit.
“Just to get into news, or if someone is supporting you, or if someone is funding you, and you follow someone for your personal gain, and give such a shocking statement, I think that is in a very bad taste. That should not be done,” he said.
Bhasker, during a recent podcast appearance, recalled her reaction to the 2019 Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya title dispute, saying she felt “really ashamed as a Hindu” at the time.
The Tanu Weds Manu actress also described the verdict as unfair and said she had messaged several Muslim acquaintances, including actors Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, to apologise and convey her disagreement with the judgment.
The Supreme Court, in its November 2019 verdict, unanimously directed that the disputed Ayodhya site be handed over for construction of a Ram temple and ordered that an alternative five-acre plot be allotted to the Sunni Central Waqf Board for a mosque.
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