"Conversation Went From...": Meghna Gulzar Admits Deepika Padukone’s JNU Visit Impacted 'Chhapaak'
Director Meghna Gulzar admitted that Deepika Padukone's visit to the JNU ahead of 'Chhapaak' release, impacted the film.
Meghna Gulzar is known for making hard-hitting cinema. Her movies such as 'Talvar', 'Raazi' and 'Chhapaak' managed to strike some important conversations and the director is now gearing up for her next release titled 'Sam Bahadur', starring Vicky Kaushal, Fatima Sana Shaik and Sanya Malhotra. Talking about 'Chhapaak', the Deepika Padukone-starrer was based on the life of an acid attack survivor and campaigner for rights of acid attack victims, Laxmi Agarwal.
The movie, despite getting glowing reviews, was not able to perform well at the box office. In the latest Bollywood movie news, Meghna Gulzar admitted that Deepika Padukone's visit to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) ahead of the film's release, impacted the film.
"I am sure that the answer is pretty obvious. Yes, of course, it made a dent on the film. Because the conversation went from acid violence, which I intended the film to amplify, to somewhere else. So, of course it impacted the film. There is no denying that," Meghna Gulzar told Indian Express.
For the unversed, Deepika Padukone had visited JNU on January 7, 2020 after students at the university were attacked following the Citizenship (Amendment) Act uproar.
Her visit caused a huge social media uproar, and hashtags such as #BoycottChhapaak and #BlockDeepika trended heavily on X (formerly Twitter).
'Chhapaak' was also Deepika Padukone's first production and she served as a co-producer alongside ox Star Studios, Govind Singh Sandhu, and Meghna Gulzar.
The film was made on a budget of Rs 50 crore, and it went on to do a business of Rs 55.44 crore.
Talking about Meghna Gulzar's next 'Sam Bahadur', the film stars Vicky Kaushal in the lead role as Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.
The film will be portraying Manekshaw’s pivotal role in India’s victory during the 1971 war, which led to the birth of Bangladesh.
'Sam Bahadur' is slated to release in theatres on December 1, and it will be going up against Ranbir Kapoor-starrer 'Animal', directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
