Vivek Agnihotri has shared his opinion on Deepika Padukone's visit to the JNU to show solidarity with the protesting students in 2020. Vivek has said in an interview that Deepika definitely didn't have any idea about the politics going on there. He added that the idea must have originated while promoting the film.
On Deepika's JNU visit
Vivek Agnihotri has spoken about Deepika's visit to JNU which sparked major controversy and started trends like #boycottdeepika and #boycottchhapaak. "I can guarantee that Deepika had no idea about politics there," the director told Shubhankar Mishra.
When the host asked if Vivek was implying that Deepika is 'dumb', the 'Kashmir Files' filmmaker denied it. He, however, mentioned that if Padukone would have known the impact her move would have on her career, she would have never participated. He also added that people must have suggested her to do this to promote her film – Chhapaak – which was also political in content.
Deepika didn't know what she was getting into
"She didn't even know where she was going. I can guarantee that Deepika had no clue about the why and the politics of that place," the filmmaker said. Reacting to it, the host asked, "Do you think she is dumb?"
"No, it's not about being dumb. But, had she known she wouldn't have gone," he added. When the host further mentioned how she still gets trolled by the right-wing groups, Vivek said, "This is a game. If you touch politics, it will burn something down."
On being further asked about Deepika being labelled as someone with a "left wing ideology", the ace director said, "I don't know her, I don't know what her ideology is." He further said, "I know that she is a smart person. She is an independent woman, very intelligent. If she knew that it was a politically sensitive place and it could impact her career, I am sure, I assume she wouldn't have gone there.
Vivek further mentioned, "I feel that when it is time to promote the film, people say go here, go there, say this, say that. People end up saying something and then two lines get picked up and the whole film lands in trouble."
Deepika had gone to JNU to extend solidarity and show support to the students against the goons who had entered the college and beat up JNU students. The actress, till date, often faces criticism and trolling from the right wing over her 2020 visit to the university.
