Delhi court directs Chhapaak makers to add Laxmi Agarwal's lawyer’s name in credits

Following actress Deepika Padukone’s surprise visit to stand in silent support of the students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi on Tuesday, her upcoming film Chhapaak landed in a minor controversy.

The makers of Chhapaak today received a directive from a Delhi civil court to add acid-attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal’s lawyer’s name in the credits. Chhapaak is based on the story of Laxmi Agarwal's life.

Aparna Bhat, who represented Agarwal during her court battles, had expressed her displeasure to Chhapaak’s producers for ignoring her. Expressing her discontent, she wrote, “Have never been the one to demand attention to my work. Deeply disturbed by the turn of events post (sic) 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”.

Those opposed to Padukone might try to use this to fuel their social media campaign against her film. Rightwing trolls flooded social media yesterday with forwarded messages of the acid attacker’s religion and name being changed from Hindu to Muslim in the film. It, of course, turned out to be false.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Meghna Gulzar, Chhapaak is set to hit theatres on 10 January.