Delhi’s Patiala House court today directed the filmmakers of Chhapaak to acknowledge the name of acid attack survivor, Laxmi Agarwal’s lawyer, Aparna Bhat in the movie.
Bhat had filed a plea in court against the filmmakers of Chhapaak, contending that she was not been given due credit for her work.
The complainant also claimed that she contributed her skills and knowledge in the making of the film which releases on January 10, 2020.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Meghna Gulzar, Chhapaak stars Deepika Padukone and Vikram Massey and is based on Laxmi Aggarwal’s life. Padukone who plays Laxmi is also stepping into the shoes of a producer this time with the biopic.
Laxmi Agarwal was attacked with acid in 2005 at an age of 15, by a 32-year-old man in Delhi’s Tughlaq Road.
The advocate, who played an important role in Agarwal’s life posted on Facebook earlier announcing that she would filing a case against the makers of the movie.
“Have never been the one to demand attention to my work. Deeply disturbed by the turn of events post watching Chhapaak. Compelled to take legal action to protect my identity and preserve my integrity. I represented Lakshmi in her criminal trial in Patiala House Courts… tomorrow someone will represent me in my cause…Ironies of life,” Bhatt wrote in her Facebook post.
“If a person has been given a promise based on which a contribution is made, the work needs to be acknowledged. I am not concerned for money, I am seeking acknowledgement,” senior advocate Sanjay Parikh appearing for the complainant told news agency IANS.
The lead actor of the movie, Deepika Padukone has been embroiled in a controversy two days before the release of the movie. This week the 34-year old actor visited Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, extending her support to the students who were attacked on campus by a masked mob. Deepika’s appearance at the varisty drew a lot of eyeballs, as hastags #boycottChhapaak and #IstandWithDeepika started trending on Twitter.
BJP supporters and a few leaders have called for a boycott of the movie.