Vikrant Massey is still ‘proud’ of Chhapaak, has curt response to why film didn’t do well: ‘You know the political stuff that happened’

Produced on a budget of more than Rs 35 crore, Chhapaak made Rs 55 crore at the worldwide box office. It was Deepika’s first film as producer, and her first film since Padmaavat, the biggest hit of her career. Padmaavat, of course, was also targeted by protesters, and a hit was put out on Deepika by fringe outfits. Additionally, Chhapaak was director Meghna Gulzar’s immediate follow-up to her smash hit spy film Raazi. Long story short, Chhapaak was expected to do really well.

Chhapaak also courted controversy for allegedly altering the name and religion of the person who attacked the real-life Laxmi Aggarwal, whose experiences as an acid attack survivor inspired the film. Immediately after Deepika’s show of solidarity, Vikrant had tweeted that his ‘heart swells with pride’. Later, in an interview with Bollywood Hungama, he said, “I really don’t want to speak on behalf of anyone because this is somewhat sensitive. What I individually thought then as a co-star, as an artist, as someone whose film was up for release, it was entirely her call. As a friend, as a well-wisher, who looks up to her in a lot of ways, I am very proud of her for what she did because we were all speaking the same language.”

Vikrant will next be seen in the mystery thriller Gaslight, starring Sara Ali Khan and Chitrangda Singh. They will is set for a Disney+ Hotstar release on March 31. Deepika was last seen in the blockbuster Pathaan, yet another film of hers that was targetted by trolls, which will arrive on Prime Video on March 22.