Two days after the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University were attacked by a group of the masked mob on January 5, actress Deepika Padukone visited the university to stand in solidarity with students. A day after her visit, #BoycottChhapaak and #Respect trends emerged on the internet. The cast and crew of the movie remained relatively quiet about the controversies that brewed around the actress’ visit. However, within days of its release, Chhapaak‘s director, Meghna Gulzar finally broke her silence on the same.
Before we tell you what the director said, first take a look at a picture from Deepika’s much-talked-about visit that dominated headlines.
Times Of India
Meghna, who has also helmed movies like Raazi, maintained that we must learn to separate personal from professional. While speaking to a news agency, the director said, “We have to be able to separate between the personal and professional. What somebody does in their personal life and what they have done as a professional in a film needs to be looked at separately.”
Meghna, further said, “While they are trying to separate the lens of personal and professional, if one can slightly divert the lens back to the reason why we made the film and what we are trying to talk about and bring to light… I think it is important.”
On the other hand, here’s what Deepika had to say about her visit: “What I wanted to say I said it two years ago when Padmaavat was released. What I am seeing today, it pains me. I hope it doesn’t become the new normal. That anyone can say anything and they can get away with it. I fear and I’m sad. This is not the foundation of our country.”
Coming back to the professional front, the actress will be next seen in 83, essaying the role of Romi Bhatia, opposite her real-life husband Ranveer Singh who is playing Kapil Dev in the movie based on India’s Cricket World Cup-winning story.
Featured Image: Instagram and ANI