Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut: 'Wrong to boycott Deepika Padukone or her film Chhapaak'

Shiv Sena leer Sanjay Raut on Sunday came out in support of actor Deepika Pukone, who is facing flak from BJP and some or quarters over her visit to JNU campus in Delhi to express solidarity with students who were recently attacked by armed assailants. Raut, who is a Rajya Sabha member and executive editor of Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', said country cant be run in a "Talibani" style.

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After Pukone visited Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) on Tuesday; while many appreciated her "silent solidarity", but many ors criticised her for "supporting Leftists", saying it was a promotional stunt for her latest film "Chhapaak". Some also demanded a boycott of her film, based on life of an acid attack survivor, played by Pukone. A section of BJP leers also criticised 34-year- old actor over her JNU visit.

Talking to PTI, Raut said, " demand for boycott of actress and her film is wrong. country cant be run in a 'Talibani' style." "Chhapaak", directed by Meghna Gulzar, hit atres on Friday. Congress governments in Mhya Presh and Chhattisgarh on Thursday declared film tax-free in two states. Declaring a movie tax-free means state has waived entertainment levy imposed on it, reby bringing down ticket rates and encouraging more people to watch it.

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Chhapaak Box-office collection

While Deepika's film underperformed and witnessed poor start at box-office on Day 1, film showed an urd trend on second day. Tre analyst Taran arsh wrote on his Twitter handle that Meghna Gulzar's film is unable to connect with audience beyond metro cities. He mentioned that while film is performing decent at premium multiplexes, total collection is still 'underwhelming'.

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(With PTI inputs)