The first look poster of Deepika Padukone’s Chhapaak is out and already grabbing a lot of attention. The film is one of the most anticipated movies since Deepika will be seen in a completely different avatar of Malti, an acid attack survivor. In the poster too she is unrecognisable.
The film is helmed by Meghna Gulzar and is based on the real life story of Laxmi Agarwal who is an acid attack survivor. Sharing the poster on her Instagram account, Deepika said, “A character that will stay with me forever…#Malti Shoot begins today!#Chhapaak Releasing-10th January 2020. @meghnagulzar @foxstarhindi @masseysahib”.
Who Is Laxmi Agarwal?
Image Credit: Veryshortnews.com
Laxmi is an acid attack survivor who is loved and known by all for her courage and her indomitable spirit. She was like any other middle class young girl who had dreams of becoming a singer and dreamt of a good future. Laxmi who belongs to Delhi, was stalked by a man named Naeem who wanted her to marry him. When Laxmi refused, he threw acid on her face while she was on her way to a bookshop. She was taken to the hospital by a taxi driver who saw her writhing in pain, on the street.
After the attack, her whole life took a turn, she was hospitalised for almost three months and had to undergo multiple surgeries. But the brave woman that she was, she never gave up and fought in the Supreme court for a total ban on the sale of acid. The court ruled in favour of her plea in 2013 and the sale of acid was finally restricted.
Image Credit: WordPress.com
She did not stop there, she then went on to campaign for Stop Acid Attacks, which is founded by Alok Dixit and Ashish Shukla. She was even honoured for her courage by former First Lady Michelle Obama with the International Women of Courage Award. She is the face of an apparel brand Viva N Diva, that sends a social message to acid attack victims. Laxmi is also the director of Chhanv Foundation, an NGO that helps acid attack survivors.
Image Credit: Hamsaro.com
She met her husband Alok who was the founder, during her campaign with Stop Acid Attacks. The two fell in love and later started living in. But the two parted ways once their daughter Pihu was born. Now Laxmi is a single mother, struggling to make ends meet as she supports her daughter and mother all by herself. Hope the film brings her some luck and helps in making her life better.
Chhapaak which is Deepika’s debut film as a producer, also stars Vikrant Massey. The film is scheduled to be released on 10 January 2020.
