After the success of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Padmaavat, Deepika Padukone is set to enthrall fans with Meghna Gulzar’s next. The upcoming project will be produced by the actress. Along with producing the film, Deepika will portray the character of acid survivor, Laxmi Agarwal.
While speaking to Mumbai Mirror the actress spoke about Laxmi and said, “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.”
Talvar director, Meghna Gulzar revealed why she thought Deepika was apt for playing Laxmi, she told the daily, “I was instinctively convinced that Deepika would do justice to the character and the story. Also, 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.”
Raazi director had spoken to the leading daily about Laxmi earlier too and said, “Using Laxmi’s story as a lens, we are attempting to explore these aspects and the consequences of acid-related violence in our society. This’s what makes this must-told story relevant. Awareness is the first step towards change.”
“If the story is to be summed up in one line, then it’s one of triumph, of an ‘unquashable’ human spirit,” she added.
Taking about the acid survivor’s incident, Laxmi was 15 when she was waiting for a bus at a bus stop in Delhi in 2005. The teenager was attacked by a person who had one-sided attraction towards her.