Chhapaak inspires acid attack victim to live again, says Soni

Real-life acid attack survivor Kunti Soni who played a significant role in Deepika Padukone's Chhapaak said that such films inspire victims to relive their life again. She also stated that people should not indulge to gain political advantage out of such films.

Mumbai: Politics over Deepika Padukone starrer and Meghna Gulzar-directed film Chhapaak, has saddened Kunti Soni, an acid attack victim, who worked with the actor in the film.

In a recent interview, Soni said: "People are mouthing opinion without watching the film. They don't understand the pain of an acid attack victim. The film will encourage the 'daughters' who got stung by acid to live again."

Narrating her story, Soni said that the person whose daughter has gone through this could only understand the pain.

Calling Meghna Gulzar "very courageous," Soni said: "It's difficult to mould the pain of the acid victims into a film. Such films are inspirations for the society and give courage to the acid victims. The politics on this film is unfortunate. Deepika has portrayed the life of an acid victim."

Instead of doing politics on such a movie, Soni said: "The people should accept it with an open heart because the film depicts the horror an acid victim woman undergoes. After watching the film, society will come to know that acid can only damage face not the will."

Soni, who studied till class five, was attacked by her husband with acid on October 22, 2011. She fought her case in the court but didn't lose hope. She is looking after about a dozen family members. Her husband died in an accident in 2017.

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"The whole family had to struggle. People made derogatory and insensitive remarks on us. I have undergone face surgery for 15 times. But none of my in-laws came to see me during the treatment," Soni said.

"My parents stood like a rock and didn't let my spirit shatter. My father met all the expenses of treatment. He even sold his house," she added.

"During the legal battle, my lawyer told me about the Shiroz Cafe. I joined the institution in 2017. It's very encouraging to work here. They teach people to move forward. I am self-reliant now and has a different identity."

"Though my role in the movie is small, it's a matter of pride for us to work in it," Soni concluded.

From IANS inputs.