Deepika Padukone will be a revelation in 'Chhapaak' says director Meghna Gulzar

Celebrated director Meghna Gulzar came across "extremely rampant" issue of acid attacks in 2015 and to bring her take on subject, "Chhapaak", on-screen, she roped in Bollywood star Deepika Pukone, who she says will be a "revelation" in film. director said she was amazed how quickly Deepika imbibed nuances of her character Malti, based on acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal.

"Deepika is going to be a revelation in 'Chhapaak'. It is a completely different side of Deepika which people will see. When I say that I don't mean just look or prostics, it's also about going into second level of character body langu, gestures and general energy," Meghna told PTI here on sidelines of International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

filmmaker, whose last release "Raazi" was well-received both by audiences and critics, said actor met Laxmi briefly before shooting began and was able to portray part with a lot of sensitivity.

"It's amazing how quickly she picked up stuff. Even her smile that she has throughout film, it's t Deepika Pukone smile. It's Malti's smile. Somewhere we found a middle path between Deepika's and Laxmi's smile. It's been fulfilling to have h her as a part of this film," she ded.

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Since her first directorial, "Filhaal", to her last, "Raazi", Meghna has always told unconventional stories with mainstream actors in le. director said desire to take her films to a larger set of audience is reason behind working with popular actors.              

"I want to tell unconventional stories and I wish story goes as far and wide as possible. I try and get people who are mainstream faces and voices to help film travel. I have been fortunate that those people have agreed to come on board and taken story wider than it could have gone."

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She said she focused specifically on Laxmi's story as it was one of most talked-about acid violence cases.

"It was a landmark case in medical community, in legal community and it h a very unusual social and legal implication because re was a love story. When I got to kw about it, I realized best way to deal with issue was to use Laxmi's case as anchor. I got in touch with m and it took me a while to convince m that I'm t going to trivialize ir stories," she ded.

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Meghna has co-written film with Atika Chohan and she said working on "Chhapaak" has been a satisfying experience.

"re is a sense of content and immense pride and when I say that I'm t being rude. It's t like we have done something great. But sometimes when you do things you get this satisfaction that you have done something right and good. I can't assure that people would like it, but re is satisfaction," she said.

"Chhapaak", backed by Fox Star Studios, also marks Deepika's foray into film production. Also featuring Vikrant Massey, film is slated to be released on January 10. 

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