Producer Meghna Gulzar's Chhapaak, featuring Deepika Padukone in the lead, on Monday, got a U certificate and was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification without any cuts. The movie, based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal, is scheduled to be released on January 10.
Meghna said getting a U authentication is an "immense validation", particularly for a film like Chhapaak which could have been seen as "difficult and graphic" because of its storyline. "This validation by the CBFC, that everyone should be able to see this film, is a valuable encouragement for Chhapaak," the movie producer said in an announcement.
Deepika needed to put on prosthetics to transform into an acid attack survivor, however, Meghna said there was never an arrangement to mitigate the film. "However, from the onset, me and the entire team decided that Chhapaak must be a visually aesthetic experience otherwise it will undo the purpose of making this film."
"So we tread a very fine balance between not sugar-coating the reality and yet making it palatable for the viewers. And that's the sensibility we all followed," the director included.
Meghna, who has directed movies like Raazi and Talvar, said she has been lucky every one of her movies have been passed without a cut. "There may have been a discourse to a great extent that must be supplanted. In any case, no cuts were mentioned. It persuades that, similar to the audience, even the censor board recognises the goal behind a film and its producers. Also, it won't limit a film's inventive articulation, if the expectation is honest and clear."
"Like any creative person, freedom of creative expression is important. But the responsibility that comes with that freedom is as important, if not more," she included. Chhapaak likewise includes Vikrant Massey.
