Chhapaak not women centric: Meghna Gulzar

Meghna Gulzar, director of the upcoming film Chhapaak about acid attack survivor Laxmi Aggarwal, says that the film need not be categorised as a woman-centric film.

“I would like to request one and all not to categorise this film as a women-centric film. I sincerely feel that whatever stories I chose to tell, the women characters do have a little more weight. But they are not the stories of only one woman. I am hoping that my film says much more than that,” she explains.

The Raazi filmmaker says that she has worked tirelessly on Chhapaak — the trailer of which came out on International Human Rights Day on December 10. “It is a huge thing for me. This is a very tender time for a filmmaker, especially while keeping the story close to yourself for more than a year and a half. A film that you have worked on tirelessly. Experiencing and witnessing the situations that women are facing in our country… I don’t need to speak about the prevailing situation. However at this juncture, the importance of such stories has increased manifold,” she shares, adding that making the film was a challenge.

“It was not an easy film to shoot, both logistically and emotionally. We have worked very hard. I must confess such work can be achieved only when we have a good team. I am lucky to have seen everything falling in place when needed. I am blessed with a very good team that takes the film and makes it their own,” Meghna smiles. The director gives special credit to Deepika Padukone, who plays the lead in the film.

“I am very lucky that my film has got Deepika as the face and personality of Malti, leaving her own face behind. Whatever you guys are witnessing would not have been possible without her,” the director says in conclusion.