Deepika Visit to JNU a 'Publicity Stunt' to Promote Film, Claims Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, January 9, 2019:

Claiming that Deepika Padukone's recent participation at a  Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was a "publicity stunt" to promote her upcoming release 'Chhapaak', due for a January 10 release, Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the B-town actress simply wants to stir up controversy ahead of her film's release.

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Addressing the media in Guwahati today, the Finance Minister said, "Film stars have a habit of visiting disturbed areas, some want to become to become a bit controversial when they have a film to be released."

"You do create some controversy on your own. She has gone to JNU to grab limelight of media, without investment on publicity by her Producer", Biswa Sarma said, making accusations that the Bollywood star only wants the limelight for her film to succeed at the box-office.

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Deepika, who was in the National Capital for promotions of her upcoming film 'Chhapaak' - that tells the tale of an acid attack survivor - went to JNU to express solidarity with the students and faculty members of the University who were thrashed by masked goons (suspected to be affiliated with the RSS-ABVP) with iron and wooden sticks. Former JNUSU President Kanhaiya Kumar was also present while Padukone stood in solidarity with the students.

After Deepika's visit, she was brutally trolled by BJP supporters, who claimed that she only went to JNU to garner some support ahead of her film's release. Many even resolved to cancel their 'Chhapaak' bookings and soon enough, #BoycottChhapaak started trending on Twitter.

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