‘Deepika Padukone had no idea about JNU politics': Vivek Agnihotri recalls her 2020 visit, says her PR misled her
Back in 2020, just days before the release of her film 'Chhapaak',
Deepika Padukone
made a surprise visit to the
Jawaharlal Nehru University
(
JNU
) in Delhi. She stood in silence to support students who were protesting after a violent attack by goons on campus.
Although she didn't speak at the protest, the 'Piku' actress' quiet presence created buzz across the country. Many praised her bold move, while others blamed her for mixing politics with film promotions. This silent political gesture became a major talking point and, according to many, affected the film's box office numbers.
'Deepika had no idea about JNU politics'
In a new interview with Shubhankar Mishra, filmmaker
Vivek Agnihotri
spoke about the incident.
He said Deepika probably didn't understand the political nature of her actions and was wrongly advised by her PR team. 'I can guarantee that Deepika had no idea about JNU politics when she went there,' he said. According to him, no political act goes without backlash, and the whole plan might have been a misjudgement.
When asked if he was calling Deepika 'dumb', he quickly clarified, 'It's not about being dumb. Her PR must've told her that this is a good opportunity to promote her film, because the university is associated with politics, and the film is also political.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik
IC Markets
Mendaftar
Undo
If she had known, she wouldn't have come.'
'You play with fire, you get burned'
Agnihotri also said that the '
Padmaavat
' actress is still dealing with the backlash from that one moment. 'You play with fire, you get burned,' he added.
Despite his criticism, he also described the 'Om Shanti Om' actress as smart and intelligent. 'I don't know her personally, so I don't know what ideology she aligns with. I do know that she is a very smart and intelligent woman.
Had she known that this is a politically sensitive place and that it might impact her career, she would've definitely not gone.'
'Her PR thought it was an event'
Agnihotri went on to say that during film promotions, actors are pulled in many directions. He believes Deepika was simply following advice that didn't turn out well. 'During film promotions, there are too many voices telling stars what to do and who to speak to. Her PR was mistaken; they thought it was an event. But it wasn't an event. Bigger fish than her have been fried for getting involved in politics,' he said.
Deepika Padukone launches badminton school to celebrate father's legacy on his 70th birthday
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
APJ Abdul Kalam inspired Salman Khan's iconic ‘Tere Naam' hairstyle: Here's the proof of how much the actor admired India's Missile Man
Salman Khan 's look in the 2003 film 'Tere Naam' sparked a fashion wave across India. His long, middle-parted hair became so popular that fans rushed to salons to copy it. But years after the film's release, the actor finally revealed the real inspiration behind the famous hairstyle – and it wasn't what anyone expected. Inspired by the Missile Man of India In a surprising confession, Salman Khan said that the look from 'Tere Naam' was actually inspired by India's former President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam . During his appearance on the first episode of 'The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show Season 3', Salman spoke to host Kapil Sharma and said, 'Ye 'Tere Naam' ka jo look hai, woh actually inspired tha Abdul Kalam saab se.' He added that actor Rahul Roy also had a similar hairstyle in one of his films. But for 'Tere Naam', Salman thought the long hair fit the image of a small-town hero. He explained, 'I thought that small-town heroes always had long hair. All the old-school heroes had it too – that's where the inspiration came from.' Salman's Deep respect for Dr. Kalam Salman's connection with Dr Kalam went beyond just hairstyle. In 2015, after the passing of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, Salman shared a series of heartfelt tweets expressing his admiration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트, 지금 시작하세요 [자세히 보기] 임플란트 더 알아보기 Undo He wrote, 'I will miss Kalam saab. India will miss him.' Calling him a role model, Salman also tweeted, 'Kalam saab was an amazing teacher and in his last tweet he said he is on his way to IIM... as scientist and as President, Kalam saab was a true inspiration for many generations of Indians.' In another emotional tweet, Salman shared his regret of never meeting Kalam, 'When your heart says you should meet someone, don't delay. I always wanted to meet Kalam saab and I should have made the effort. My loss.' Salman's choice to style his hair after Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was not just a creative decision but a quiet tribute to someone he deeply admired. The look may have been trendy, but now we know it came from a place of genuine respect. SALMAN KHAN SAYS AAMIR KHAN 'STOLE' HIS FILM, LEAVES PREMIERE CROWD IN SPLITS
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Madhubala biopic put on hold; Makers rework budget plans - Here's what we know
The much-anticipated biopic on legendary actress Madhubala has hit a temporary roadblock. Directed by Jasmeet K Reen, who earned acclaim with her 2022 film Darlings, the film's production has been put on hold due to budgetary constraints, even though the script is reportedly complete. High Budget Causes a Pause Initially envisioned as a lavish period drama, the film was set to portray the grandeur of Madhubala's life and era, with a projected budget of Rs 80 to Rs 100 crore. However, as per News 18 reports, the production team — comprising Sony Pictures International Productions, Brewing Thoughts Pvt. Ltd., and Madhubala Pictures — found that the high costs related to period detailing, elaborate sets, and costumes could make it difficult to recover the investment. Reportedly the recovery math didn't add up and the budget had to be re-evaluated. Searching for a Middle Ground Reportedly, the team is now working hard to redesign the financial plan without compromising on the essence of the story. 'The goal is to honour Madhubala's legacy while keeping the project financially viable. The budget is now being slashed to almost half,' said a source. As a result, casting discussions with top female actors — previously underway — have been temporarily paused until the revised plan is finalised. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Despite the financial pause, the spirit behind the project remains strong. Reportedly, the team is hopeful about taking the film on floors by the second quarter of this year, once the numbers make sense. The biopic aims to highlight her iconic performances and stardom and also to shed light on her personal struggles and challenges as a woman in a male-dominated industry. Madhubala 87th birth anniversary: Here's a look at some lesser-known facts about the timeless actress
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hitesh Bhardwaj steps into the shadows: Ayaan's silent struggle unfolds in Aami Dakini
Eagerly awaited show Aami Dakini is poised to captivate audiences with its intense storytelling and atmospheric depth. Filmed in the evocative streets of Kolkata, the show presents an angle of Husn bhi, Maut bhi. At the heart of it lies Dakini — a mysterious figure whose silence speaks volumes, whose gaze unsettles, and whose presence lingers. This fresh narrative marks a powerful return and here's why Aami Dakini is unmissable. At its core is Ayaan Roy Choudhary, portrayed by Hitesh Bhardwaj, a skeptic drawn into an enchanting world. Reflecting on his experience, Hitesh shares, 'At its core is Ayaan Roy Choudhary, portrayed by Hitesh Bhardwaj — a skeptic drawn into an enchanting, unpredictable world. Reflecting on his experience, Hitesh shares, 'Aami Dakini isn't your typical story—it's layered, emotional, and quietly intense. As Ayaan, I had to strip away the usual dramatics and focus on stillness, on what isn't said. That was the real challenge. It taught me that in stories like this, mood matters more than spectacle. Every glance, every pause holds meaning. You're not just reacting to a scene—you're responding to an atmosphere where husn bhi hai, maut bhi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo That duality stays with you, even after pack-up.' Speaking about one of his most memorable moments from the shoot, Hitesh shared, "There was this one scene between Meera (Raachi) and me, where both of us had to be really angry at each other. The emotions were so raw, we completely surrendered to the moment. When the scene ended, there was this silence… and then the whole crew started clapping. That felt special, like something real had just happened." "And another one with Sheen I remember telling her, 'Please don't look at me during my close-up, I am getting scared, because the way she was performing it was so intense and powerful, I was genuinely shaken. Those are the kind of moments that stay with you." he added. Udaariyaan's Hitesh Bharadwaj: I have idolized Ravi Dubey in terms of acting
