Artists: Deepika Padukone, Vikrant Messi, Madhurjit Sargi, Ankit Bisht, Delzad Hiwale, Govind Singh Sandhu Director: Meghna Gulzar Movie Type: Chhapaak Is Based On Real Incident Duration: 2 hours 18 minutes
Critic Review
Cinema has always been called the mirror of society and the silver screen has proved this thing continuously in the past years. The way in which the trend of films depicting social issues and women tragedy has gone on in this period, Chhapaak directed by Meghna Gulzar and starring Deepika Padukone is presented with the strongest content.
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The story is based on the life of the acid attack Victim Survivor Lakshmi Aggarwal. The story begins with Aced Victim Survivor Malti (Deepika Padukone), who is looking for a job. In this attempt, he is reminded of his ugly face from repeated acid attacks. When Malati, who has undergone several surgeries, is found and interviewed by a journalist, other layers of the story open up. Malti joins an NGO working for acid Victim Survivors, where she meets Amol (Vikrant Messi), the NGO’s doer with several acid Victims. Then the Darun tragedy of Malti comes through other girls who are victims of acid attack. The beautiful and cheerful 19-year-old Malti (Deepika Padukone) dreams of becoming a singer, but her life will never be the same after the inhuman acid attack by Bashir Khan aka Babu.
Police Investigation and Court-Court affair between brothers suffering from TV sickness at home, financially strapped parents and countless surgeries of Malati. One thing does not change between the disfigured face and all the taunts and scorn of society after the Tejabi attack and that is, the family’s support and lawyer Archana (Madhurjit Saraghi )’s the courage to bring justice to Malati. With the inspiration of Archana, she files a petition to ban acid. Malti’s face is snatched away in this hilarious journey, but no one can snatch her smile.
Meghna Gulzar’s quality as a director is that she has kept the story realistic. Nowhere does the tragedy of the acid attack be melodramatic or sensational. The first half of the film is definitely a little dull, but after the intermission, the events take their momentum. Meghna, who has directed successful and thought-provoking films like Talwar and Raji, has shot it as a documentary drama. Meghna also seems to attack the traditional notion of beauty.
Deepika’s prosthetic make-up as an acid Victim Survivor is commendable. Yes, there are some questions that remain unanswered. The title track ‘Chhapak’ has become heart touching in the music of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. If Deepika Padukone is called the soul of the film, then it will not be an exaggeration. Posing as an actress and actress with an acid burn can only be said to be a bold move for a heroin-like her, but she has brought to life the role of Malti.
Many of the scenes played by him squeeze your heart. In one scene, placing her imitation jewelry and clothes in a bag, she says, ‘No nose nor ear, where will I hang these earrings mother?’ Vikrant Messi has brought his role to life. They should have been given more screen space. Madhurjit Sargi has played a superb role in the role of Loire Archana. The supporting cast of Chhapaak has done full justice to their roles.