Padmaavat actress Deepika Padukone has finally announced her next project. She will essay the role of the acid attack survivor, Laxmi Agarwal in the Meghna Gulzar directorial. The film will be produced by her as well.
The Week quoted Deepika saying, “When I heard this story, I was deeply moved as it’s not just one of violence but of strength and courage, hope and victory. It made such an impact on me, that personally and creatively, I needed to go beyond and so the decision to turn producer.”
15-year old Laxmi was waiting at a bus stop in 2005, when a man who was twice her age attacked her. The man knew her family and was a suitor whose advances she had declined. In a span of ten years, she underwent many surgeries which affected her mental health as well. But with her courage and determination, she fought back.
The film showcases the journey of these of those ten years when she managed to put the attackers behind bars and a PIL was filed in the Supreme Court which inspired the amendment on acid laws in 2013. The Week quoted Meghna saying, “Acid violence is a very prevalent danger even today. Medical treatment, compensation, rehabilitation and inclusion of acid attack survivors are still very real challenges.”
She furthur added, “Using Laxmi’s story as a lens, we are attempting to explore these aspects and consequences of acid violence in our society. This is what makes this story, relevant and one that must be told. Because if anything, awareness is the first step towards change.” The director was also confident about Deepika essaying her role as she said, “Her physicality matched with what I’d imagined for Laxmi’s character. I’m grateful and encouraged that she was so spontaneous in her decision to do the film. When you take a face as beautiful as hers and portray her as an acid attack survivor, the magnitude of the violence and damage is that much more resounding.”
Earlier, reports suggested that she would be doing another Hollywood film but now it’s been a rather long time since Padmaavat released and we would want to see Deepika Padukone on the silver screen.
Also read: After Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone quits Bharat; returns signing amount