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EXCLUSIVE: Birthday girl Laxmi Agarwal on social work, reaction to Deepika Padukone portraying her in Chhapaak
Acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal in an exclusive interview with PINKVILLA opened up on Chhapaak, her birthday plans and her reaction to Deepika Padukone portraying her role in the movie. Read on.
Acid attack survivor and social activist Laxmi Agarwal, a mother to a little girl Pihu, turns a year older today. Laxmi, based on whom a movie titled Chhapaak starring Deepika Padukone is being made, is still a kid at heart whose only motive in life is to be a part of a change in the society. Taking an unconventional route, Laxmi is celebrating her birthday by spreading awareness about menstruation and equality. Quite a fighter, isn't she?
Surprising me with her innocence in an interview with Pinkvilla, Laxmi shared that right now her entire focus is on spreading awareness about menstrual health and hygiene. "I am doing an exhibition and workshop on it and I am involved with this project very religiously. I will be spending my birthday giving more time to this cause which according to me is very important," she said and added that she does not feel burdened with the responsibility which comes with all the social responsibilities she has taken a baton for.
"I am so happy that at this age I have survived so many things and continue to do so. I actually like to take up this responsibility more and give more time to social causes. Be it my anniversary or birthday, I want to be associated with social work as I believe in doing something for the society and not myself. A lot of people don’t understand this. It hurts me when my friends say ‘ab toh tum bade aadmi ho gaye ho!’ Those are the same friends who laud my work and at the same time taunt me, that is sometimes painful," Laxmi mentioned. 
Coming to the Deepika Padukone starrer Chhapaak which is being directed by Meghna Gulzar, we asked Laxmi about her reaction on knowing that a movie is being made on her journey. Meghna had revealed to us that she met Laxmi in 2016 when she discussed this thought with her, and now, in 2019, the movie is being made. Laxmi elaborated, "When Meghnaji told me about this I was very happy. I was 15 when I survived an acid attack. At that age too, I never received any award or anything from the school, so when suddenly you receive awards internationally and in your country, it is overwhelming. Similarly, the film is being made for the society. When I was told about this, I was very happy that such a good director wanted to tell my story. For me, this was a big thing. More than me, it is a good thing for society as the movie intends to send a great message."
What about Deepika playing her role in the movie? Exclaiming that this is perhaps one of the best things, Laxmi revealed, "I felt exhilarated and nice as Deepika is cute and ‘pyaari’, so I was very happy to know that she will be playing my role. She plays all her characters well. People have created a frenzy of sorts knowing this and I don’t know how it will be when the movie releases."
Chhapaak is currently being shot in Mumbai and will wrap up on June 5. The movie is scheduled for a release next year.
