Chhapaak is a movement: Gulzar

The title song of Meghna Gulzar’s Chhapaak, starring Deepika Padukone, came out on Friday, and has gripped the hearts of many already. Penned by the iconic Gulzar, the song is sung by Arijit Singh to music made by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy.

The Oscar-winning lyricist opines that Chhapaak is not just a film, but also a movement. All praise for Meghna, Deepika, and Laxmi Agarwal - the acid attack survivor whose story has been documented in the film - he says: “I admire what these three women here have achieved. Chhapaak is not only a film but also a movement in society. This is not just any other film; these women are telling you something through it. They are bent on beginning a conversation on this issue and bring awareness about this specific issue into society.”

Looking back at his career, Gulzar says that his work has always been women-centric. “I don’t know whether women-oriented topics held my finger or I was holding them and taking them forward. Sanjeev (Kumar) would always complain and say ‘I am told that I am the lead actor in your films, but the central character in your film always turns out to be a female character,’ he recounts, adding that women’s issues have always mattered to him.

“I have always been concern about their safety and well-being; I tried and looked at how a girl’s safety could prevail. Usually, we do understand that a boy can exist all by himself, but with the passing of times, I have seen how women are taking care of themselves,” the 85-year-old says.

He further surmises: “Now when you see women in this industry, they are everywhere. Earlier, we would not find a single woman technician, maybe only a hairstylist was a working lady on the set but today we have women technicians, filmmakers, and performers.  Today, women are playing the lead characters, and I would call this progress. It has been quite a journey. Women have empowered themselves and come forward in every way possible, they are leading every cause.”