It is almost a week to when Deepika Padukone quietly stood with the students in JNU, hands folded and looking straight ahead. She didn’t speak; her silence is still reverberating. Political leaders, activists and opinion makers have spoken on her ‘right’ to stand with the protesters, concerted online battles have been fought over her political affiliations – real or imagined, and the box office performance of her recent film Chhapaak is being put through a magnifying lens. As if fewer crores signifies people voting with their money on Deepika showing solidarity with the students. The audience does vote with its money – regarding the film’s cinematic capability, its merit and its heart. Deepika knows this – her Padmaavat went through the same wrench. There were threats to chop off her nose, a bounty was put on her head. The film was delayed and released amid violence on the streets. That is what makes her stand even more commendable; she is not only acting in Chhapaak but is also its co-producer.
