Chhapaak: Deepika Padukone's first look out, shooting begins today

The first look of Deepika Padukone as Malti — her character in Meghna Gulzar’s upcoming film Chhapaak — is out. The social drama film is based on the life of activist and acid attack survivor, Laxmi Agarwal. Shooting commenced today with January 10, 2020 locked as the release date. 

Laxmi Agarwal was 15 when she was attacked with acid at a bus stop in New Delhi in 2005 by three men for turning down a marriage proposal by one of them. Having survived the attack, she filed a PIL in the Supreme Court in 2006 seeking new laws and amendments against acid violence and the sale of acid. Laxmi runs the NGO Chhanv Foundation, which offers help to acid attack survivors across the country.

Co-starring Vikrant Massey, Chapaak is co-produced by Deepika under her banner KA Entertainment. “When I heard the story, I was deeply moved. It is a story not just of gross violence, but of strength, courage, hope and victory. It has had such a massive impact on me that I personally and creatively needed to go beyond and hence the decision to turn producer too,” the actor had earlier said. 

Meghna Gulzar’s last directorial venture was Raazi, starring Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. Deepika Padukone, on the other hand, was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat.