Deepika Padukone's presence in JNU sparks controversy; some call for boycott of ‘Chhapaak’
Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone showed up at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) yesterday at a gathering where JNU students' union (JNUSU) president Aishe Ghosh was speaking. Former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar was also present during the event. Padukone was seen standing with the students who were there to talk about the attacks that had taken place on the campus a few days ago.
Her presence during the event was lauded by a lot of people, but it also invited the ire of many others who called her "opportunistic" and touted her presence as a PR stunt for her upcoming movie ‘Chhapaak.'
The movie directed by Meghna Gulzar is based on the real-life story of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. Padukone will essay the role of Agarwal in the movie.
Many from the film fraternity stood in support and praised her for taking a stand against violence.
Anurag Kashyap wrote on Twitter, “The female of the species is, and was, and will always be the strongest of the two #DeepikaPadukone . Chhapak first day all shows . Let’s all those who stand against the violence go to @bookmyshow and show them. Make our silent statement which will be the loudest.”