Bhopal/Raipur: Actor Deepika Padukone's upcoming film Chhapaak has been made tax-free in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The film is based on the real life story of an acid-attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal.
Announcing this on Twitter, Chief Minister Kamal Nath wrote, "Deepika Padukone’s film on acid attack survivor, Chhapaak is releasing across the country on January 10. I declare it tax-free in Madhya Pradesh." "This film which spreads a positive message regarding the treatment of acid-attack victims in the society, tells the story of their courage, struggle and their passion for life and aims to bring a change in the society’s mentality on the same," he added.
Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Bagel tweeted, "The government has decided to make Chhapaak tax-free in Chhattisgarh, which reflects a heinous crime like the acid attack on women in society and spreads awareness in the society. All of you visit the theatres along with family, be aware and make aware."
Helmed by Meghna Gulzar, Chhapaak is all set to hit the theatres amid the storm of boycott calls from some sections. After Deepika paid a visit to the JNU campus on Tuesday night to express solidarity with students and faculty following the January 5 violence, a few BJP leaders are also asking "Hindus to boycott Deepika Padukone and her movie".
However, many fans, other Bollywood celebs and political leaders are also voicing their support for Deepika and the film. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday said that any artist can go anywhere and put forth his or her view. "This is a democratic country, anyone, any artist can go anywhere and put forth his or her view," said Javadekar.
Director Anurag Kashyap said he has "mad respect" for the actor and urged people to watch her upcoming film "first day all shows". "The female of the species is, and was, and will always be the strongest of the two #DeepikaPadukone... Let’s all those who stand against the violence go to @bookmyshow and show them. Make our silent statement which will be the loudest," he wrote.
