Meghna Gulzar-directorial Chhapaak, starring Deepika Padukone, is at the centre of fiery debate as calls to boycott the film grows louder on social media. #BoycottChapaak started trending after Deepika reached out to students of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) who were protesting against the recent violence in the campus. Though she did not say anything, visuals of a stoic Deepika, standing by student leaders and meeting JNUSU leader Aishe Ghosh, have gone viral.
Adding to the controversy, right wing trolls hit out at Deepika and Meghna alleging that the religion of the attacker was changed from 'Muslim to Hindu'. The film is based on the real life story of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal who was attacked by a man named Nadeem Khan. In the film, the attacker's name is Rajesh, users claimed. One will have to wait for the movie to see if the name of the attacker has actually been changed. Meanwhile, the makers of the movie haven't reacted to the issue.
ALSO READ: Misleading Chhapaak narrative? Religion of villain has not changed from Muslim to Hindu
Ram Ram ji 🙏 Who was acid attacker of Laxmi Agrawal ? This question is for @deepikapadukone and @meghnagulzar ? Heard u changed the religion of the attacker in your film 😡You all seem to confirm my judgement about Hinduphobia Bollywood 😡 Pls reply if this is True or False ? pic.twitter.com/Ds8JR7FcBO
— PAYAL ROHATGI & Team- Bhagwan Ram Bhakts (@Payal_Rohatgi) January 8, 2020
And the sad part is Laxmi Agrawal agreed to allow the name to be changed. Bollytards would have managed to convince her that they want to protect poor peaceful minority of our country. My heart goes out to Laxmi who would have got pressurized to compromise facts here.
— Anam Kadaskar 🇮🇳 (@anamkadaskar) January 8, 2020
Self-professed 'Hindu lover' and actor Payal Rohatgi tweeted: “Heard u changed the religion of the attacker in your film. You all seem to confirm my judgement about Hinduphobia Bollywood.”
Many are taking to Twitter to share screenshots of their cancelled bookings for Chhapaak and unfollowing Deepika on social media. Openly calling for a boycott, BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga tweeted her photo at JNU. Her Chhapaak co-star Vikrant Massey took to Twitter to praise her move and wrote that his heart 'swells with pride'.
