Chhattisgarh follows Madhya Pradesh; Baghel makes Deepika Padukone's Chhapaak tax-free

Amid numerous controversies, Deepika Padukone's prestige project Chhapaak has been declared 'tax-free', in Congress-led Chhattisgarh. The Meghna Gulzar directed biopic on Laxmi Agarwal features Deepika Padukone and Vikrant Massey in the lead roles.

Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced the decision stating that one should watch the film along with family, to become 'self-aware'. The Congress leader also sent out a strong message stating that the film depicting heinous crimes such as the attack on women results in increasing awareness about such issues amongst masses. 

READ: Deepika Padukone's Chhapaak To Be Tax-free In Madhya Pradesh; CM Kamal Nath Cites Reasons

Hours before Baghel's announcement, Madhya Pradesh CM, Kamal Nath cited the strong message of the grit of an acid attack survivor portrayed in the movie as the reason for the decision. Taking to Twitter on Thursday, CM Kamal Nath in Hindi wrote, “I announce that Deepika Padukone-starrer Chhapaak, based on an acid attack survivor, which is releasing across the country’s theatres on January 10, as tax-free.” 

Usually, films gain the 'tax-free' status after they have already hit the theatres. Arjun Kapoor's Panipat, for example, was declared 'tax-free' after one-month of its release. The same events transpired when it came to Hrithik Roshan's Super 30. 

READ:  Deepika Padukone's 'Chhapaak' Lands In Another Row, Now Laxmi Agarwal's Lawyer Sues Makers

Chhapaak controversies

Based on a true story of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal, the film has been embroiled in a series of controversies. After Deepika Padukone's brief seven-minute visit to Delhi's JNU, a massive debate over her 'class act' broke out on social media, ultimately making #BoycottChhapaak trend on Twitter. Soon after that, rumours surfaced that the attacker's religion in the film has been changed to Hindu, leading BJP's Dr. Subramanian Swamy to address the matter. 

READ:  Chhapaak: Karni Sena Issues Notice, Writes To Censor Board Over 'religion-switch'

And, in the latest development, Aparna Bhat, Laxmi Agarwal's lawyer had moved the court seeking a stay on the film, after she was not credited in the movie. Soon after it, the Patiala House Court passed judgment directing the makers of Deepika Padukone’s Chhapaak to give credit to the person in question. 

READ: JNU VC Asks Deepika Padukone: Why Only One-side, They Should Listen To Innocent People Too