Used Deepika Padukone's craft, not star power: Meghna Gulzar

Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar, who is gearing up for the release of Chhapaak starring Deepika Padukone in lead, says that the actor is headlining the film for her craft and not for the star power.

Mumbai: Meghna Gulzar says she has used Deepika Padukone's craft to tell the story of trauma and triumph in Chhapaak. The filmmaker however admitted that an actor like Deepika playing the part widens the interest in the film because she is so popular.

Gulzar says she has navigated in a very sensitive and aesthetic manner the subject of Chhapaak, which is based on the life of acid attack survivor and activist Laxmi Agarwal, and calls it a story of trauma and triumph.

When asked whether cinema can bring some sort of healing to women, who either are acid attack survivors or have faced violence, Meghna said, "The essence of the trailer is of two words - trauma and triumph. If it is in the trailer, it is going to be in the film and it is there."

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone portrays Laxmi in the movie and Meghna said having an established name on board the film will help in spreading awareness about the issue that the film deals with.

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"An actor like Deepika playing the part, widens the interest in the film because she is so popular, big and adulated that you will have her fans who want to come and see it. Have I used her star power? I think that is the function of promotion and marketing, which is not me. Have I used her craft? Yes."

The film, which also features Vikrant Massey, is set to release on January 10, the same day Ajay Devgn's Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior will hit the screens.

Meghna is unfazed by the clash at the box office as she believes it is impossible to avoid competition.

"Our population is of billion people and I am sure two films can find their own audience. We make so many films a year and we have just 52 weeks, it is impossible to make expect a solo release. So the math is simple," she added.

With inputs from PTI