Chhapaak box office collection Day 1: Deepika Padukone starrer opened to excellent reviews.
Meghna Gulzar directorial Chhapaak, starring Deepika Padukone in the lead role, has earned Rs 4.77 crore on Day 1. At the box office, the film faces competition from Ajay Devgn starrer Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior.
Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh wrote on Twitter, “#Chhapaak is ordinary on Day 1… Collects well at select high-end multiplexes… Biz at Tier-2 and 3 cities and also mass circuits is way below the mark… Growth on Day 2 and 3 crucial for a respectable weekend total… Fri ₹ 4.77 cr. #India biz.”
Chhapaak is based on the life of acid attack survivor and social activist Laxmi Agarwal.
However, the film’s excellent reviews might help its overall collection.
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Deepika Padukone said, “I think emotionally we can prepare for a role. We can read and prepare. We can meet the person on whom the movie is based. However, what you go through emotionally between action and cut is something that you are never prepared for. You never know what to expect as you are reacting to the environment you are thrown into. You are reacting to your co-stars that you are engaging with. It is just spontaneous, and as long as you are being honest, you have a good film.”
“Just walk out theatre and watched Chhapaak movie. Speechless out of word to describe how I feel. What a BEAUTIFUL MOVIE! #Chhapaak #ChhapaakReview thank you Deepika you did a fantastic playing the role. Sooo sooo proud of YOU,” tweeted user @samiratomford.
A user, @surabhiprabhu8, took to Twitter to share, “#DeepikaPRBackfires #ChhapaakReview film really disappointed me, I couldn’t feel the gravity of the issue. Only in one scene where #DeepikaPadukone screams after acid is thrown on her that was impactful scream but shot very badly.Serious subject of #AcidAttack shot very casually.”
User @ThePuccaCritic tweeted, “What Chhapaak does that hardly any Indian biopic has done before is that, in its treatment, it doesn't take itself seriously. Unhinges itself from all the manipulative trappings of a storytelling (though not always to its benefit), and trusts the raw emotions to move you.”
He further added, “The scene that moved me the most and broke me was the supermarket scene where Malti and another survivor casually talk about their surgeries and what they want out of it. It is this levity to the topic that is unseen, effective and most refreshing. #Chhappak.”
User @versatilefan shared on Twitter, “I wanted to take a picture of the title slate but when it finally was on the screen. I was a crying mess. #ChhapaakReview. @deepikapadukone kudos to you for doing this film and for lending such an honest performance as Malti. so pure and honest that it pierces your soul.”
“Watched #chhappak last night! kudos to @deepikapadukone @meghnagulzar and the whole team for such an intriguing watch! Loved the music and words penned by @gulzar sahab! The movie does what it promised, gave me hope :) #ChhapaakReview,” tweeted user @adbhuttt.
Twitter user @_itzsneha_ posted, “#Chhapaak An outstanding performance by @deepikapadukone @masseysahib Just drop everything, go & watch this movie. One of the most awesome acting by DEEPIKA PADUKONE 💖 #Chhapaak #ChhapaakReview #ChhapakMovie #Blockbuster.”
A user, @mojitoandfrappe, tweeted, “Nobody could have done this role better than @deepikapadukone. Kudos. #chhapaak."
“#Chhapaak interval - Revolutionary ! The hope that this movie will give to acid attack survivors is billion times larger than what movie will collect. And @deepikapadukone -You deserve respect and love of this whole nation for what you have done madam!! RESPECT AND SALUTE !!," tweeted user @itisprashanth.
Mini Mathur shared on Twitter, "Saw #chhapaak last night! It burnt a hole through my heart. @meghnagulzar has made a brave film on a hard hitting reality & @deepikapadukone .. you have proved beyond doubt that you have heart, soul & compassion! The most talented actor & producer ever! Please go watch the film"
The Delhi High Court Friday asked the producer and director of the Deepika Padukone-starrer Chhapaak why they have not acknowledged the lawyer of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal, on whose life the movie is based, for the inputs she shared with them. The producer and director of the film, released in theatres Friday, contended before Justice Prathiba M Singh that Laxmi’s advocate Aparna Bhat had no legal right, statutory or contractual, to seek acknowledgment for her contribution in the film in the form of consultation, inputs and documents.
Also read | Delhi HC asks Chhapaak filmmakers: Why not credit Laxmi’s lawyer?
Deepika Padukone told indianexpress.com, "Lakshmi and I have been through something that has impacted our lives in a big way. Of course, you cannot compare depression and acid violence. But both can be equally traumatic but in very different ways. How we have come out of it stronger, how we have chosen to not let it affect us, how we have chosen to make it something positive and impact people’s lives, I feel that is the common thread between the two of us."
Read More | I do not know any other way than just being authentic and honest: Chhapaak actor Deepika Padukone
Actor-filmmaker Arbaaz Khan watched Chhapaak and tweeted, "#Chhapaak is not just a brilliant film by Meghna Gulzar but a heart wrenching and inspiring story of Laxmi Agarwal , a woman who had the courage, dignity and strength to fight against all odds and bring to book her perpetrators. Well done team #Chhapaak."
In a lengthy Instagram post, Ranveer Singh called Deepika Padukone the soul of the Meghna Gulzar-directed movie, which is based on the story of acid attack survivor and activist Laxmi Agarwal.
Ajay Devgn spoke about the Twitter war between Tanhaji and Chhapaak and told PTI, "Who is doing the war? I don’t think there is any war. People put their opinion and we should not take it seriously. Both films have good subjects and I hope both the films do well."
Also read | Ajay Devgn: Hope both Chhapaak and Tanhaji do well
Indian Express' film critic Shubhra Gupta in her 3.5 star review of Chhapaak wrote, "You look at Deepika Padukone, so far away from the dressed-up, made-up parts she’s done till now, and acknowledge an actor who wants to break out of her safe zone, to actually inhabit someone else’s skin even if it’s burnt. Yes, it’s worthy, but it’s also very watchable."
Also read | Chhapaak review: Deepika Padukone delivers a solid performance
"#Chhapaak [4.5/5] : One of the best movies made in Indian cinema, in the subject of violence against women..@deepikapadukone delivers an award winning performance..Nothing over the top.. Very subtle..It takes lot of courage to act in a movie with a disfigured face.." tweeted Ramesh Bala.
Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared Chappak's screen count. He tweeted, "#Chhapaak screen count...#India: 1700 #Overseas: 460 Worldwide total: 2160 screens."