Took My Breath Away: Acid Attack Survivor Katie Piper on Chhapaak

‘Chhapaak’ stars Deepika and Vikrant Massey.

Katie Piper (L) and poster of Chhapaak (R)

(Photo Courtesy: Instagram)

The trailer of Deepika Padukone’s upcoming film Chhapaak dropped recently. The film is directed by Meghna Gulzar and stars Deepika Padukone and Vikrant Massey. Deepika plays an acid attack survivor in the film.

Now, English activist and acid attack survivor Katie Piper took to social media to pen a note for Deepika and the team of Chhapaak.

In the note she writes, “Watching the trailer took my breath away. I had to watch 3/4 times for it all to sink in. This film explores what it really means to survive an acid attack in Indian. Based on true events the film follow Maltis traumatic medical journey and her fight for justice in a legal battle against her attacker a man who couldn’t cope with her rejecting his advances. Maltis face is permanently scarred but not her spirit, that is unbreakable. An untold story of trauma and triumph.”

Deepika then replied to the note. She tweeted, “Thank You so much for your shout out Katie and I look forward to meeting you sometime soon...! @KatiePiper_”

Earlier, South Indian actor Parvathy had also taken to Twitter to congratulate Deepika Padukone and the team behind Chhapaak after the trailer was released on 10 December. “Team #Chhapaak @deepikapadukone Bravo!” she tweeted.

Paravathy’s recent Malayalam film Uyare explores a similar theme as Chhapaak. She plays a pilot who fights back after surviving an acid attack by a former boyfriend which threatens her career. The film also stars Asif Ali and Tovino Thomas and released on 19 April.

Directed by Meghna Gulzar, Chhapaak is based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. Part of the film will reportedly explore the PIL that was subsequently filed in the Supreme Court in 2006 and which lead to the amendment of laws regarding acid attacks in 2013. Deepika plays a character named Malti and her co-star Vikrant Massey’s role is modelled on that of Laxmi’s partner, social activist Alok Dixit. The film releases on 10 January.