Deepika Padukone: First look PHOTO of xXx star as acid attack survivor in Chhapaak

The movie begins filming this week, and is Padukone’s first role since the massively successful – if somewhat controversial – Padmaavat. She is best-known to Hollywood audiences as Vin Diesel’s co-star in the movie xXx: Return of Xander Cage, although she is one of the biggest stars in the world thanks to her huge Bollywood career. She tweeted the first look at herself as Argawal this morning.

Meghna Gulzar directs Chhapaak, while Padukone herself is among its producers.

Padukone captioned the picture: “A character that will stay with me forever…#Malti.

“Shoot begins today! ‘Chhapaak’. Releasing January 10, 2020.”

Agarwal herself had earlier spoken out about the actress playing her on-screen.

“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.

When the project was first announced, Padukone had said: “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.

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

Chhapaak is out on January 10, 2020.