'Deepika Padukone Had No Idea About JNU Politics': Vivek Agnihotri Says PR Must Have Misled Actress
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Vivek Agnihotri says Deepika Padukone didn't understand JNU politics during her protest visit, calls it a PR move.
Vivek Agnihotri has shared his thoughts on Deepika Padukone's appearance at a student protest at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) back in 2020. Just days ahead of the release of her film Chhapaak, Deepika made headlines for silently standing in solidarity with students following an attack on campus. The move drew both praise and backlash.
In a new interview with journalist Shubhankar Mishra, Vivek Agnihotri wondered whether Deepika Padukone truly understood the political weight of her visit. 'I can guarantee that Deepika had no idea about JNU politics when she went there," he said, suggesting her public appearance may have been solely driven by her team.
When asked if he was implying Deepika wasn't smart enough to understand the situation, Agnihotri clarified, 'It's not about being dumb. Her PR must've told her that this is a good opportunity to promote your film, because the university is associated with politics, and the film is also political. If she had known, she wouldn't have come."
He also pointed out the inevitable risks of stepping into political territory, even unintentionally. 'You play with fire, you get burned," he said, adding that Deepika is a smart woman who likely wouldn't have made the appearance had she known the full implications.
'I don't know her personally, so I don't know what ideology she aligns with. I do know that she is a very smart and intelligent woman. Had she known that this is a politically sensitive place and that it might impact her career, she would've definitely not gone. During film promotions, there are too many voices telling stars what to do and who to speak to. Her PR was mistaken, they thought it was an event. But it wasn't an event. Bigger fish than her have been fried for getting involved in politics," he said.
In Chhapaak, Deepika portrayed Malti, a young woman who fights for justice and social change after a horrific acid attack. Though critically acclaimed for its sensitive storytelling and Deepika's powerful performance, the film struggled at the box office.
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