Chhapaak Makers' Double-Speak is Shocking: Lawyer on Credit Woes

Despite being released two weeks ago, Chhapaak is still in troubled waters as lawyer Aparna Bhat has again sought contempt proceedings against its makers - Fox Studios, Director Meghna Gulzar and producer and actor Deepika Padukone in a Delhi Court on Wednesday. This time Bhat alleges that the filmmakers have not given her due credit in the film's international screenings despite the Delhi court order, which asked them to acknowledge her efforts in the fight to curb acid attacks and banning acid, on January 11.

Bhat speaks to SheThePeople and expresses her dismay, "What they have done is contempt of court. The order was passed in front of their lawyers and despite that, they aren't following it. It makes me feel bad that these people are preaching everybody about following the law and they are violating it themselves. Their double-speak is shocking."

Also read: India Is Failing Acid Attack Survivors, Here Is The Data

On asking how she got to know about the makers' not giving her credit during screenings in international platforms, she responds that her acquaintances who watched the movie in the US and Singapore told her that they did not find her name in the film credits.

What they have done is contempt of court. The order was passed in front of their lawyers and despite that, they aren't following it.

Earlier in the day today during a hearing, a Delhi judge recused himself from hearing Bhat's petition. On asking the reason for it, she tells us, "When I got to know about the bench I anticipated that this would happen since he knew me from earlier. It is ethical so the judges are not accused of any conflict."

The Deepika Padukone starrer Chhapaak, which also marks her debut as a producer, is a serious film that delves into the life of an acid attack survivor. The character is based on the real-life of a survivor, Laxmi Agarwal, who has been a source of inspiration for women and survivors across the globe.

Also read: What Do I Do With Awards When I Can’t Pay My Bills: Laxmi Agarwal

While Bhat has been given credits in the film nationally, in the film's international screenings, where her efforts allegedly remain unacknowledged.

In the first week of January, Bhat shared her angst over the credit issue for the first time in a Facebook post after which she filed a plea in a Delhi court dragging the filmmakers of Chhapaak to court for not giving her credit in the film. This was despite the fact that she not only helped during the making of the film but also spent eight years fighting for the cause in the court. She represented acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal in court and fought the case which led the Supreme court to put restrictions on acid sale across the country.

It makes me feel bad that these people are preaching everybody about following the law and they are violating it themselves. Their double-speak is shocking.

Bhat shared that she was “deeply disturbed” to see that the filmmakers did not give her credit for her contribution in fighting against acid attack. While the court agreed to Bhat's claim and ordered the filmmakers to acknowledge her efforts, they have failed to do so on international platforms.

In our previous conversation with Bhat, she voiced her disillusionment as she said, "Never trust anyone.”

The next court hearing in the matter is slated for Monday, 27th January.

Image Credit: YouTube screengrab