Chhapaak movie review and release: Highlights

Samajwadi Party: On the directive of party President Akhilesh Yadav ji, today party will organize a screening of the movie #Chhapaak for its workers. A cinema hall in Lucknow has been booked for this. pic.twitter.com/Tux2F1GfsZ

— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) January 10, 2020

The IMDb rating of Chhapaak, starring Deepika Padukone and Vikrant Massey, is 3.8.

Bhopal: National Students' Union of India(NSUI) workers distribute free tickets to #Chhapaak movie and BJP workers distribute free tickets to #Tanhaji movie. #MadhyaPradesh pic.twitter.com/5OWXqDdPqd

— ANI (@ANI) January 10, 2020

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

(Photo: Varinder Chawla)

"#Chhapaak delivers what it promises,Heart wrenching film. Speechless&stunned by performance. @deepikapadukone connects u wit d life f Laxmi Agarwal. Truly an Outstanding movie @meghnagulzar will go down in history as one f d iconic roles played by bollywood actresses ever," writes Twitter user @imNRK17.

Neil Nitin Mukesh shared on Twitter, "Just walked out of the premier of #Chappak it is by far one of the most hard hitting films I have ever seen. @meghnagulzar Ji . This is a gem. FANTASTIC writing and direction. Brilliant performances by all. @masseysahibyour simplicity is indeed magnetic Amol Ji." He continued, "@deepikapadukoneplease take a bow. As a producer to have the strength to back such a strong story and as a performer to go out there and give your best performance till date. You made me cry but you also taught me to fight and finally smile. God bless you. #Chappak"

The Indian Express' Shubhra Gupta writes, "You look at 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."

Read More | Chhapaak movie review 

(Photo: Varinder Chawla)

Dia Mirza took to Twitter and shared, "I’m watching #Chhapaak first day first show u2764ufe0f Goooooooooooo Deeeepikaaaaaaaaa."

Jackky Bhagnani shared on Twitter, "#Chhapaak is not just a film, but a reality! A Story of a henious crime, struggle & victory of a brave soul. Hats off @deepikapadukone for such a brilliant performance, huge respect ! @masseysahib you were amazing. @meghnagulzar take a bow for making this ??"

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"

Kunal Kapoor shared on Twitter, "#Chapaak is such a powerful and important film. Soul stirring and uplifting! Directed with such sensitivity and beautifully performed. And @deepikapadukone is just incredible! What a brave choice to make as an actor and producer. @meghnagulzar @masseysahib Don't miss this one!!"

Riteish Deshmukh shared on Twitter, "Just watched #Chappak a brilliant film by one of my favourite film makers @meghnagulzar - @deepikapadukone’s portrayal of an acid attack survivor, her pain, her courage, her fight is pitch perfect. great debut as a producer @masseysahib is such a wonderful actor. My heart goes out to Laxmi Agarwal on whose life the film is based upon. You are a real hero. You have inspired me and am sure your story will inspire millions more. #Chappak"

Genelia Deshmukh shared on Twitter, "More power to these 3 women. @meghnagulzar for making an amazing film on a topic that needed to be discussed. @deepikapadukone for making a brave choice as an actor and producer and acing it to the tee. #LaxmiAgarwal for sharing your story with us. You inspire me. #Chaapak. @masseysahib you were simply brilliant. #Chappaak is a rare film that makes you experience all the human emotions- shock, pain, sadness, hurt, helplessness, struggle, joy, euphoria & love."

"Even though the truth is heart-wrenching and deeply hurts and burns like acid but it never is able to corrode the beauty and purity of her soul! Force that drives Deepika is unimaginable and her integrity in reel and real life is exemplary! Vikrant your are just wonderful! Meghna, Atika, thank you! More power to your craft, to your honesty!" Juhi Chaturvedi further shared on Twitter.

Writer Juhi Chaturvedi took to Twitter and shared, "I saw #Chhapaak and I thought if we can ever become a nation that treats its women like human beings...raping, throwing acid on the face, beating up...is this how the man of this country aspires to show his supremacy? #Chhapaak documents an extremely powerfully enacted... sensitively written and directed true story of an acid survivor. But most importantly it’s the story of the victory of women who will not succumb to the heinous mindset of men. Yes, it is a film on women's empowerment."

Film trade analyst Girish Johar estimated the opening figure as Rs 5 crore and told indianexpress.com, "This is unlike Deepika. She is not a glam doll here which she has played over the years. Here she plays a victim, and she has taken a bold step in taking up this issue. The film has the potential to connect well with the audience."

Also Read | Chhapaak box office prediction

Gulshan Devaiah shared on Twitter, "@deepikapadukone leads from the front and this is in my opinion her absolute best yet. @masseysahib superb performance!! My absolute best wishes bhai ? I can’t articulate what I have been feeling since last night. This movie will never leave my mind !!! Many cheers"

Huma Qureshi took to Twitter and wrote, "#Chappak leaves you with anger , tears , hope and more ... @deepikapadukone your eyes haunt me even now .. This girl is all heart. Thank you @meghnagulzar for making this film. Some stories are harsh but must be told..."

Yami Gautam shared on Twitter, "Pain is real ,tears are real ,but so is the hope & pride !Thank you for Humanising this unjust reality ! Chhapaak pierces your heart !Such stories must be told & celebrated !Deepika’ smile as Malti is my favourite."

Siddhant Chaturvedi shared on Instagram, "Star struck! @thelaxmiagarwal. What an inspirational story #chhapaak @deepikapadukone Thank you so much for this moving experience! You never felt so beautiful. @vikrantmassey87 brother you’re phenomenal! I have been a huge fan since Dharam-Veer days, and can’t wait for your next! @meghnagulzar Ma’am, much love and respect. We need more stories like these coming our way."

"My baby. I’ve witnessed you toil relentlessly to create this special piece of work. You’ve been an engine behind the project, and are the soul of the film. This is the most important instalment in your body of work. You laboured with such honesty in intent and action. You dug deep and fought through your challenges, faced your fears, overcame your struggles and today you and your team stand triumphant as the creators of one of the films of our times. Your performance is way more than everything I thought it could and would be. It’s moved me, stirred me and stayed with me. You blended strength with vulnerability and lent dignity to an immensely complex portrayal in such a fine manner that I’m simply awestruck at your craft. Its staggering and astonishing what you’ve achieved with Malti. A glowing gem in your repertoire. I love you baby. I’ve never been more proud of you. @deepikapadukone #chhapaak," Ranveer Singh further shared on Instagram.

Ranveer Singh shared on Instagram, "Meghna, your film gives the audience hope and courage. It shows you the best and worst of humanity in a kaleidoscopic cinematic spectrum. It elucidates a subject that we’ve only ever heard of but never really fully understood. It offers a definitive and insightful deep-dive into the horrific gamut of acid violence. The story shakes you to your core and then lifts you heroically until your emotions soar. Talvar, Raazi and now Chhapaak..may I say “Bravo!” And “Encore!” ??"

Arbaaz Khan shared on Twitter, "#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"

Deepika Padukone starrer Chhapaak was on Thursday declared tax-free by the governments of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgrah.

Bhumi Pednekar tweeted, "It took me a few hours to settle after watching #Chhapaak. The film leaves you completely overwhelmed. Thank you for making this. A beautiful and important story, full of courage and hope. @meghnagulzar ma’am What a hard-hitting narrative dealt with sensitivity."

In her review, The Indian Express critic Shubhra Gupta 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."