Deepika Padukone’s performance as Malti, a character based on Indian acid attack survivor and activist Laxmi Agarwal, in Meghna Gulzar’s new film has touched moviegoers thanks to its poignant portrayal at the effect of attacks on survivors and their families. While it’s struggling at the box office, Chhapaak [Splash] has received praise from critics for Padukone’s acting. As well as playing the lead, the xXx Return of Xander Cage star also took on a new role on this project: producer.
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Padukone spoke out about the real reason she wanted to play an active part behind the camera as well as in front of it.
“I came onboard as an actor initially, but then I felt I wanted to contribute more in a creative capacity beyond performing,” she said.
“My director was open to the idea and we went from there, working to tell the story with delicacy and honesty.”
She previously explained to Variety that gender equality had nothing to do with her decision to turn her hand to producing.
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“I’ve turned producer because I want to enable some of the films that I do. I’m not doing it because I’m a woman,” she said.
“At one of these press conferences, they spoke about Splash [Chhapaak] being a female-centric film, for example.
“No, I’m not doing this film because it is female-centric. It really makes the film small.
“Sometimes you want to have more skin in the game; you want to be more involved,” she added.
Chhapaak is based on the life of Agarwal, who survived an acid attack at the age of 15.
She went on to campaign for the rights of acid attack victims and led a petition which led the Supreme Court to order central and state governments to regulate the sale of acid.
Padukone also told tell Harper’s Bazaar about the challenge of making the movie, saying: “This has been the most challenging film of my career.
“It was very, very tough portraying a real living person, and the element of acid violence made it even trickier.”
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“It was a lot of responsibility because you’ve got to treat the subject with dignity, respect and humanity,” she added.
Elsewhere, Padukone is also set to reprise her role as Serena Unger in the follow-up to xXx Return of Xander Cage.
Having joined Vin Diesel in the third movie of the franchise back in 2017, it was announced she would be back for another round in xXx 4.
While confirmation of the fourth film came back in 2018, production for the sequel has yet to be announced.
However, it would appear things are ramping up as Diesel recently teased an update on Instagram.
Sharing a picture of fan art depicting him in his role as Xander Cage, he said: “Appreciate the creativity… How ironic that I had a Xander Cage meeting.
“Each franchise has their respective beautiful family. Blessed,” he added.
The action star previously hinted he would be going straight into filming for Fast & Furious 10 next before beginning work on the new Xander Cage movie with Padukone.
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