Deepika Padukone has been promoting her film Chhapaak, a biopic of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. The film has been directed by Meghna Gulzar, who is known to showcase powerful female characters and put forth a strong female voice on the big screen. Earlier this month, the trailer of the film was released and it left everyone with goosebumps.
Talking about Deepika’s character, Malti, based on acid attack survivor and activist Laxmi Agarwal, an entertainment daily reported that she was only paid Rs 13 lakh for the film. However, rubbishing the news, Laxmi shared a picture on her Instagram account and called it a false narrative.
Earlier during a media interaction, Laxmi opened up about how the film made her feel and said, “There was a time when people did not want to see my face, some got scared. Now they are eagerly waiting for the release of the movie. I am very excited. Deepika’s make-up is amazing. Some of my friends find our looks very similar and often ask me, ‘Is that you?’”
She said that her friends this that the look is so similar that they feel she is playing herself. She also highlighted that the film will create more awareness and remove acid throwing as a weapon of ‘revenge’ from people’s minds. She added, “As and when some celebrity raises an issue, it becomes an issue of the society as people realise that someone from amongst them made the (acid) attack.”
Deepika Padukone also said that she was very nervous about what Laxmi’s reaction would be. She said, “Laxmi felt like she was seeing herself. I felt like I was looking at myself and she felt like she was looking at herself. I was the most nervous on that day. This is first time that I played a character that’s real, tangible and I can sit with and talk to, and that’s a big responsibility. So when she came on the sets on the first day, I was so nervous. She walked in and she was just glowing. She was so happy.”
The film is all set to release on January 10, 2020 and we are super stoked, TBH. The trailer and DP’s looks look promising and with talented costars like Vikrant Massey and ace director like Meghna Gulzar, this team is sure to make a memorable movie.
We’re closing the decade with #POPxoLucky2020, a whole season of exciting surprises every day! Also, don’t miss the new POPxo Zodiac Collection with notebooks, phone covers and magic mugs that are fun, fab and 100% you! Psst… there’s an additional 20% off too, so head to POPxo.com/shopzodiac and take it up a POP!
