Chhapaak is a biographical drama film based on the storey of acid assault victim Laxmi Agarwal that will be released in India in 2020. Deepika Padukone, Vikrant Massey, as well as Madhurjeet Sarghi, feature Deepika Padukone inside the lead part of a character-based by Agarwal in Meghna Gulzar’s movie. Padukone made her acting come back after two years with Padmaavat with this film (2018). Fox Star Studios, Ka Productions, Avernus Productions, and Mriga Films all funded the project.
From March to June 2019, filming took place in and around New Delhi and Mumbai. The movie was certified tax-free in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, as well as Rajasthan when it was released in theatres worldwide on January 10, 2020.
A reporter called Alka encounters Amol Dwivedi, the founder of an acid attack survivors’ foundation, as well as tells him about Malti, an acid attack victim who is lobbying for a ban on acid sales. Malti is seeking work, and Amol takes her on at his company.
Malti is assaulted with acid at a crowded market area in New Delhi in April 2005. The police investigate and suspect Basheer “Babbu” Khan, a family friend of Malti’s, and his brother’s wife Parveen Shaikh, depending on Malti’s and her lover Rajesh’s testimonies.
After triangulating Babbu’s phone signal in the same region as the attack, the police apprehend him, meanwhile, Malti has a series of surgeries to restore her seriously disfigured face. Shiraz employs Malti’s parents as domestic help in her home; she contributes financially to Malti’s treatment as well as engages Archana Bajaj as her lawyer.
Acid assaults and the use of hot water to burn someone fall under the same provision of the Indian Penal Code, hence the penalties would be the same. Malti’s statement is verified by witnesses, and Parveen has the tell-tale scorched fingers from throwing the acid, therefore Babbu and Parveen are clearly guilty in the initial hearings.
Nevertheless, because the law does not consider the acid attack to be a severe crime, Babbu is free to post bond and resume his life. Malti and Archana see the necessity for reform in the acid-sale laws and restrictions, and they compile a petition. Meanwhile, Malti’s brother Rohit has been diagnosed with severe TB of the intestine.
The court condemns Basheer Khan to ten years in jail as well as Parveen Shaikh to seven years in prison in August 2009, however, they appealed to the High Court. Malti raises funding for other acid attack survivors’ treatment and legal action. She is finally successful in amending the criminal law.
Pinky Rathore is killed in another acid attack in Mumbai in 2013, resulting in public outcry and acid-sale bans. Malti takes on the role of a survivor of an acid assault and develops affections for Amol.
Basheer plotted the acid assault on Malti out of jealously, and Parveen assisted him in carrying it out. The Delhi High Court dismisses Basheer’s petition in October 2013, placing the assailants in prison. The video concludes with a December 2013 acid assault, and laments that despite increased legislation and media attention, the incidence of acid attacks has not diminished, and acid is still openly bought and sold in India.
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