What I Am Seeing Today, Pains Me: Deepika

Padukone’s fans, peers laud her for ‘quiet grace’ & ‘brave support’; kerfuffle caused by others who prompted hashtags to boycott her Friday release Chhapaak

NEW DELHI: On a cloudy, damp winter evening, Deepika Padukone stood in solidarity with a host of students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), protesting against a shocking mob attack that happened in the campus on Sunday. She did not make any speeches and left as quietly as she had arrived.

Padukone was in New Delhi to promote her upcoming film Chhapaak.

Within minutes, social media erupted with a frenzy that only a Bollywood star can whip up in movie-mad India.

Before visiting JNU, Padukone talked about the unrest and protests across India. In an interview with a national channel, the actor was asked about the growing unrest in the country and the protests being held at various universities. She said: “What I wanted to say, I said it two years ago when Padmaavat was released. What I am seeing today, it pains me. I hope it doesn’t become the new normal. That anyone can say anything and they can get away with it. I get scared and I feel sad as well. This is not the foundation of our country.”

In another interview, the Chhapaak actor said: “I feel proud that we are not scared of expressing ourselves. It (is good) that we are thinking of our country and its future. Whatever may be our point of view, it is nice to see people coming out on to the streets and elsewhere to voice their opinions.” Both these statements were given before Deepika Padukone visited JNU.