Madhya Pradesh government to honour Deepika Padukone at IIFA

After several protests demanding a boycott on the film, Madhya Pradesh government on Friday have declared to honour Deepika Padukone at the 2020 IIFA Awards which is scheduled to happen in a couple of months from now.

Mumbai: A day after exempting Chhapaak from entertainment tax, Madhya Pradesh government on Friday kept the political pot boiling as it announced to honour actor Deepika Padukone in the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA Awards).

The awards ceremony is to be hosted by the state for the first time since inception in 2000. Capital Bhopal and the state commercial hub Indore will be the venues for the awards ceremony in March.

After MP Chief Minister's approval, the state Public Relations Minister P.C. Sharma announced their plan to honour Deepika.

Speaking about the IIFA awards, Sharma said that the event is to be organised at a cost of about Rs 700 crore and it will be telecast in 90 countries.

Instituted in 2000, the ceremony is held in different countries around the world every year with its 2019 edition being hosted in Mumbai on September 18.

Sharma said that the government hopes the event will promote tourism in the state.

Speaking of Chhapaak, Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath tweeted: "Deepika Padukone's film Chhapaak is based on a woman's story of self-confidence, struggle, hope, and passion to live with that suffering, sends a positive message about acid-affected women in society."

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Baghel tweeted: "The film depicts such heinous crimes like acid attack on women in society and raises awareness. People should watch it with families."

READ | Chhapaak declared tax-free in MP and Chhattisgarh

While the leader of Opposition in MP Gopal Bhargava commented a distasteful quote on Deepika, the Congress condemned Bhargava for his comments.

Earlier on Friday, the BJP supporters burnt Chhapaak posters in Bhopal and Indore.