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Bollywood Film Review

Johnson Thomas

An Empowering Experience

Film: Chhapaak

Cast: Deepika Padukone, Vikrant Massey, Madhurjeet Sarghi, Ankit Bisht, Delzad Hiwale, Devas Dixit

Director: Meghna Gulzar

Rating: * * * 1/2

Runtime: 138 mins



Chhapaak, based on true incidents, revolves around the trials and tribulations of 19 year old Malti (played by Deepika Padukone who models her post acid attack look on real life victim Laxmi). The wannabe singer, Malti’s, trauma begins when stalker/family friend Bashir Khan and aide, throw acid on her face, in broad daylight on the streets of Delhi. And her trials don’t end there. Her brother’s illness and father’s death compound her problems and it is Malti’s lawyer Archana (Madhurjeet Sarghi), who stands by her through this impressive journey of courage and true grit. And moving forward, Amol(Vikrant Massey), the head of the NGO she eventually works for, helps Malti file a PIL to ban the sale of acid and suggest amendments to make the acid violence legislation more effective.



Meghna Gulzar’s matter-of-fact narrative trails the investigation of the attack, court proceedings, the harrowing medical reconstruction treatment and the eventual emotional healing. Even though the narrative seems choppy and uneven at times, through it all, the true grit, resilience and unstinting spirit of the lead character shines luminously bright. The non-linear narrative designed by Meghna and Atika Chohan’s screenplay, has Malti, already moving on from the traumatic experience, trying to land a job while her life revolves around multiple surgeries and court cases - not the singing she envisioned for herself. Director Meghna Gulzar steers clear of melodrama while drawing up strong enough sentiment to floor even the most hard-hearted viewer. Deepika’s performance lends acuity to Malti’s ( and other victims like her) experience. You can actually see the victim growing from strength to strength as the story progresses and she notches up hard-won victories. Vikrant Massey is effective and so are the other largely peripheral cast members. Massey’s Amol is endearingly flawed. His male condescension and privileged domineering gets pulled down pretty often yet he takes it all in like a sport. There’s an innate goodness in him that just cannot be budged. Madhurjeet Sarghi playing the Lawyer Archana, whose steadfast support gave Malti a chance to be able to rewrite her dreams, appears to have an innate affinity for the feminist contours of the character she essays with crafty elegance. In fact Anand Tiwari, as Archana’s husband presents an ideal of a modern marriage without so much as batting an eyelid. Gender stereotypes are deconstructed - Women in this film have all the powerful roles and why not…especially since this story is meant to evoke compassion.



This film is about Malti’s healing and how she challenges herself to use the spotlight to provoke social change. The protagonist’ lack of a victim complex is the most beautiful aspect of this filmed experience.Meghna Gulzar’s narrative provokes thought and questioning, allowing the audience to react to the played out drama, in their own time and pace. The songs (Chhapaak and Nok Jhok especially) have their own infective influence - sometimes relieving the heaviness and other times, lifting up dampening spirits. The makeup and prosthetics may look put on but there’s no doubting the authenticity of this experience. The minor surges in emotion experienced here are much more earth shattering than the pumped up factitious adrenaline rush of a big budget, period actioner… and I daresay, you won’t be unmoved!



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