Deepika Padukone: What acid attack survivor REALLY thinks of xXx star – ahead of biopic

Laxmi Agarwal is an acid attack survivor who will be portrayed by Bollywood sensation Padukone in a new venture – which Padukone will also be a producer on.

The star is hugely famous in India, and is best-known to Western audiences for her work in last year’s Vin Diesel caper xXx: Return of Xander Cage.

Following the news that she will portray Agarwal in the Meghna Gulzar-directed film, Agarwal herself has spoken out.

“I believe art is art. I am so happy that Deepika is playing the role,” she told Hindustan Times.

“I have no right to judge her. How can I judge someone for something which I can’t do?”

“She has played wonderful characters on screen and I believe she will give her best.

“I want to thank Deepika ji, Meghna ji and the entire team who will be working together on the film.”

She added: “I am glad that the movie will spread awareness and will help people who are victims of such incidents to come out of it.

“They will get inspired that if she can do it than why not us.”

Padukone herself spoke earlier this month of her excitement at taking on the project – her most high-profile gig since the hugely controversial, and record-breaking, Padmaavat.

“When I heard this story, I was deeply moved as it’s not just one of violence but of strength and courage, hope and victory,” she said, according to Filmfare.

“It made such an impact on me, that personally and creatively, I needed to go beyond and so the decision to turn producer.

“We look forward to commencing our journey on the film.”

Gulzar added: ”I was instinctively convinced that Deepika would do justice to the character and the story. Also, her physicality matched with what I’d imagined for Laxmi’s character.

“I’m grateful and encouraged that she was so spontaneous in her decision to do the film.

“When you take a face as beautiful as hers and portray her as an acid attack survivor, the magnitude of the violence and damage is that much more resounding.”

The as-yet-untitled new film does not yet have a release date.