Two days after Deepika Padukone’s visit to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, there are reports speculating that the actress’s promotional video for the Ministry of Skill Development has been dropped. In this promotional video, she spoke about acid attack survivors and Skill India.
Deepika was in Delhi to promote her upcoming film Chhapaak which is about the life of a real-life acid attack survivor. However, on January 7, Padukone took a break from her schedule. She visited JNU to stand in solidarity with the protesting students who were attacked by a masked mob.
Her promotional video for the Ministry of Skill Development
“A promotional video to promote Skill India featuring Deepika Padukone was to be released today (Wednesday). It was being circulated in the Shram Shakti Bhawan (ministry office) too. But after yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) chain of events the video was abruptly dropped,” a senior official in the ministry told The Print Wednesday.
The actress stayed on the campus for 10 minutes and left without saying a word. However, she spoke with Anjana Om Kashyap of Aaj Tak and expressed her anger over no “action” being taken in the JNU violence case. She had further added, this situation in the country “pains” me.
In the 45- second promotional video, the actress was featured speaking about creating equal opportunities for citizens in relation to her film Chhapaak. The film is a biographical account of the acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal. The movie is set to be released this Friday.
“As part of a regular process under communication and promotional activity for Skill India, the team keeps getting ideas from media houses and organisations to cross-promote each other. The production team (of Chhapaak) had approached Skill India for promoting the subject of the film,” said the ministry.
It furthermore commented, “…the actors from the movie had met some acid attack survivors and specially-abled candidates from our ecosystem which are also Skill India beneficiaries inspiring them.”
On Thursday, the media adviser told The Print that the video had been submitted by Deepika’s team and it was still being evaluated.
Read Also: Brave Move: Deepika Padukone stands by JNU students, right wing says boycott films
Twitter Clashes Over Deepika's Visit To JNU
Deepika Padukone made it to the headlines after her visit to the JNU campus to express her solidarity with the JNU students who were brutally attacked. The actress stayed on the campus for 10 minutes and left without saying a word. However, she spoke with Aaj Tak TV channel and expressed her anger over no “action” being taken in the JNU violence case. She had further added, this situation in the country “pains” me.
Padukone’s visit and statement created a stir on Twitter and divided people’s opinions. Several hashtags, both positive and negative, like #DeepikaPadukone, #IStandWithDeepika, #ISupportDeepikaPadukone #BoycottDeepikaPadukone and #BoycottChhapaak started trending on Twitter, following her visit.
Bollywood celebrities Sonakshi Sinha, Bhumi Pednekar, Richa Chaddha, Shabami Azmi and Konkena Sensharma supported and applauded the actress.
On the other hand, BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga tweeted a picture of Padukone standing with JNU students and asked the citizens to boycott her movies. Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, however, said anyone can go anywhere and have their opinion on any issue. “There is no objection to it.”
Some Twitter users, however, called Deepika’s visit a publicity stunt.
Skill India Promotion
The Skill India Promotion has had famous personalities support and promotes its scheme in the past as well.
In 2018, Anushka Sharma and Varun Dhawan promoted the scheme during the release of their film Sui Dhaga. Dhawan and Sharma supported Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, ITI and apprenticeship schemes in the promotional videos.
“A promotional video to promote Skill India featuring Deepika Padukone was to be released today (Wednesday). It was being circulated in the Shram Shakti Bhawan (ministry office) too. But after yesterday’s (Tuesday’s) chain of events the video was abruptly dropped,”
In 2015-16, NSDC launched a campaign under the theme 'Chalo Kaam Karein', which was promoted by cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. The idea behind the endorsement of the youth campaign was to motivate youth to come forward and acquire a skill.
Read Also: Brave Women Are Leading India’s Protests From The Front
Image Credits: Samakshiya.com
Gaurika Taneja is an intern with SheThePeople.TV
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