Image Courtesy: easybranches.com
Deepika’s presence at JNU’s protest meet came as a pleasant surprise for scores of students and other people protesting the violence unleashed by right-wing masked goons on unarmed students and teachers.
Reportedly, Deepika was present in Delhi for promotional events for her upcoming movie titled “Chhapaak” which is based on the life of an acid attack survivor. She went to JNU to stand in solidarity with the students who were attacked. She did not make a public speech, however she hugged Aishe Ghosh, the JNUSU president who suffered injuries in the attack and said that she was proud of her and asked her to “take care”.
She is known to have told India Today TV earlier, on JNU violence specifically, “I feel angry that this is happening. But, at the same time, the fact that action is not being taken, this is something to think about.”
Her brief visit at the protest meet started some trends on Twitter that seemingly threaten the commercial returns of her upcoming movie. Hashtags like #BoycottChhapaak started trending on twitter and continues to remain the top 5 trends today. Clearly, Bollywood actors refrain from commenting on socio-political issues as it could affect the commercial returns of their films but Deepika was lauded by many for having the courage unlike her “superstar” counterparts.
After her visit criticism started coming in for her and her movie:
https://twitter.com/mvmeet/
Deepika Padukone made a film based on a social issue!
Now to gain publicity and to please Bollywood bigwigs
she is supporting anti nationals!Out of 789 universities and hundreds of issue to be addressed in India,
she chose JNU!Hypocrisy at its best#boycottchhapaak
— Mahesh Vikram Hegde (@mvmeet) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/
In reality, the scum who threw acid on Laxmi Agarwal was Nadeem Khan, a peaceful guy who was only following his faith.
In the movie, miraculously, his name is “Rajesh”
Deliberately maligning Hindus for 70yrs.
THAT’S the profession of Dawood funded Bollywood.#boycottchhapaak— Vishnugupt उवाचः (@vishnuguptuvach) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/
Who is Nationalist??
Whom do you support??
Choice is yours . #boycottchhapaak @iSinghApurva Di pic.twitter.com/SVtU8bd2Es— Vishal Pati BJYM (@PanditJiVishal1) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/
#boycottchhapaak@meghnagulzar showed Pakistani characters as most innocent creatures in #Raazi.
Nw @deepikapadukone is standing wit #TukdeTukdeGang.
If u ve guts then ask people to not watch ur movie.
Why to earn crores from Indians who r against ur stand?— iamNik (@iamNIK8544) January 8, 2020
on the other hand, she also received a lot of support
https://twitter.com/
It is simplistic to dismiss Deepika Padukone’s support at JNU as ‘movie promotion.’ She’s a mega star & knows the risks of boycotts/demonisation. Which is what the mighty Khans faced & retreated. Or why the great AB won’t speak. The fact is that Deepika simply has more courage
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/
It is simplistic to dismiss Deepika Padukone’s support at JNU as ‘movie promotion.’ She’s a mega star & knows the risks of boycotts/demonisation. Which is what the mighty Khans faced & retreated. Or why the great AB won’t speak. The fact is that Deepika simply has more courage
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/DeShobhaa/
What a huge compliment!!!! Congrats @deepikapadukone . The BJP has decided to ” boycott ” you! Take a bow! Bigger than any Film Award. The ultimate tribute! Fight on #JNUSTUDENTS. You have supporters across India and the world.
— Shobhaa De (@DeShobhaa) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/ANI/
DMK MP Kanimozhi on a social media campaign to boycott Deepika Padukone’s movie after she joined students at Jawaharlal Nehru University,during protest over #JNUViolence y’day: I don’t watch many hindi movies, they’re actually making people like me go&watch her movies&support her https://t.co/vlHJt42Idq pic.twitter.com/liqf2TGCs1
— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2020
https://twitter.com/
You’re a ROCKSTAR @deepikapadukone https://t.co/iFdBofCZ94
— Shruti Seth (@SethShruti) January 7, 2020
When public figures like her, make appearances at such events, even if it is just to stand in solidarity with students who have been mindlessly inflicted with violence for expressing dissent, it has a huge impact on the gravity of the protest and takes the dissent forward.
Related: