Deepika Padukone joins students at JNU during protest; netizens say boycott Chhapaak

Deepika Padukone visited JNU and triggered sharp reactions from netizens, who asked people to boycott Deepika Padukone's Chhapaak, and instead suggested them to watch Hindu warrior film Tanhaji this weekend

Actress Deepika Padukone on Tuesday evening joined students protesting against the recent violence that took place at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus.

The Bollywood actress was seen standing with students as the demonstrators raised the slogan, "Jai Bhim-Jai Bhim." She did not issue any statement nor address the students. Deepika is currently in the national capital promoting her upcoming film Chhapaak. 

Soon netizens started trending #boycottchhapaak #boycottDeepika. Not just that, many have suggested people to instead watch Tanhaji featuring Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Kajol, Jagapathi Babu and Sharad Kelkar in the lead roles.

Both the movies will release this weekend; one is on real-life acid attack victim Laxmi Agarwal playing by Deepika in Chhapaak and the other is on Tanhaji Malusare, who was an unsung Maratha warrior from the 17th century Maratha empire, whose acts of valour and bravery continued to inspire soldiers long after his death in the battle.

K Krishna Saagar Rao, chief spokesperson of BJP Telangana released a statement on the same saying, “It's quite surprising that an eminent movie actress Deepika Padukone has chosen to stand by the likes of Kanhaiya Kumar and extend support to the misled, violent, divisive student groups on JNU campus.”

“I hope she realises what standing along with Kanhaiya Kumar and supporting his cause represents. It means that she supports all the divisive, violent and anti-national statements this educated, illiterate man Kanhaiya Kumar has made since years against this nation.”

Rao also added, "It's quite sad that an educated, talented actress like Deepika Padukone from a good family has also lost track and fallen prey to the mass propaganda by few distractors of India." 

A few also shared pictures of her with alleged ex-boyfriend Siddharth Mallya (kissing images) and shamed her. Some others shared a screenshot of them unfollowing her on Twitter.