Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri recently shared his thoughts on Deepika Padukone’s 2020 visit to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which took place just before the release of her film Chhapaak. In an interview with journalist Shubhankar Mishra, Agnihotri suggested that Deepika may not have fully grasped the political implications of standing in solidarity with protesting students after a campus attack. “I can guarantee that Deepika had no idea about JNU politics when she went there,” he said, implying the move was likely a strategic decision influenced by her PR team
When asked if he thought Deepika lacked awareness, Agnihotri clarified, “It’s not about being dumb. Her PR must’ve told her this was a good opportunity to promote her film, given its political tone. If she had known, she wouldn’t have gone.” He emphasized that Deepika is intelligent but may have underestimated the fallout of getting involved in political matters. “You play with fire, you get burned,” he added, pointing out how the entertainment industry often exposes actors to complex political narratives during promotional campaigns.
Chhapaak, which saw Deepika portray an acid attack survivor seeking justice, received critical acclaim but underperformed at the box office. Agnihotri reflected on how Deepika’s JNU visit may have inadvertently affected the film’s reception. “Her PR thought it was an event, but it wasn’t. Bigger fish have been fried for stepping into politics,” he said. While Agnihotri admitted he doesn’t know Deepika personally or her political stance, he maintained that her team miscalculated the timing and context of the appearance.
