While the public reaction was largely conservative, Paoli Dam stood firmly by her work. In numerous interviews following the incident, she articulated a clear distinction between vulgarity and cinematic art:

While criticized by some as "dirty acting," international critics from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety focused more on the film's "austere portrait" of society and its "slow-burning" pace. Career Pivot to Bollywood Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org

She expressed complete faith in her director and maintained that she was not confused by the decision, choosing to view the scene as an artistic commitment rather than a moment of mere titillation.

Upon its release, the film was leaked online, and the clip quickly went viral. This led to massive uproar, with the media, critics, and the public questioning the necessity of such graphic nudity in Indian cinema.