Actor Surya Emotional Letter | నన్ను టార్గెట్‌ చేయడం బాధ కలిగించిందని లేఖలో వెల్లడి

Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, known for The Kashmir Files and The Bengal Files, has shared his views on actress Deepika Padukone’s controversial visit to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2020, during the promotions of her film Chhapaak. The visit had sparked significant political and media debate at the time.

In a recent interview, Agnihotri suggested that Deepika’s decision to visit JNU was likely influenced by her PR team, rather than her own political inclinations. “No one willingly walks into a controversy unless they are advised to. I believe her PR team might have told her it would be a bold promotional move,” he stated.

He further added, “Deepika probably had no real understanding of the political situation at JNU. It was likely presented to her as an opportunity to promote her film at the right time, without realizing the depth of the controversy she was stepping into.”

Agnihotri emphasized that actors getting involved in political matters can be extremely risky. “It’s like playing with fire. Deepika is a smart actress, and had she fully understood the sensitivity of the issue and the potential impact on her career, she would have avoided going there,” he said.

At the time of her visit, students at JNU were protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Deepika’s silent presence at the protest was seen as a gesture of solidarity with the students, but it also ignited a wave of backlash, with political implications that overshadowed her film promotions.

Agnihotri concluded by stating that while actors can influence public opinion, they must be careful not to be drawn into politically charged situations without understanding the full context.