Deepika Padukone’s ‘Chhapaak’: All you need to know about acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal

The gruesome attack

Laxmi Agarwal was only 16 years of age, when she faced the wrath of a 32-year-old man. Since Laxmi had rejected the advances of her stalker, he threw acid on her face, denting her life forever. Laxmi in an interview with The Indian Express said, "After the attack, I was admitted to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and stayed there for nearly three months. There were no mirrors in the ward I was in. Every morning, the nurse would bring me a bowl of water to help me freshen up, and I would try to catch my reflection in that water. I would only see glimpses of a bandaged face. I used to have a scar on my nose before the attack; I would tell the doctor to remove that during the operation. When I first saw my face afterwards, I was devastated. I had no face to speak of. My eyes were misshapen."

Laxmi’s struggle with law and fighting for her rights

Post this barbaric incident, Laxmi underwent several surgeries and also campaigned for acid attack survivors. She filed a Public Interest Litigatio in the Supreme Court in 2006, joining hands with another victim, Rupa. Their efforts paid off with a massive ruling. SC passed an interim order banning over-the-counter sale of acid at retail outlets. It also added that a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to be paid to each acid attack victim. So, hardwork of Laxmi finally paying off!

Not giving up and campaigning for the cause

In 2013, Laxmi Agarwal became joined Stop Acid Attacks campaign with 25 acid attack survivors and they started meeting regularly in their New Delhi office. “On the first day, it was very unsettling to meet others. For so long I thought I was alone in this sadness. But when we met the second time, we were unstoppable. We went to watch a cricket match. Without our veils,” Laxmi told Washington Post. This is why you should never give up in life.

International recognition

The fighter that Laxmi is, she continued to crusade for acid attack victims, which won her international recognition. In 2014, Laxmi was felicitated by former US First Lady Michelle Obama for successfully leading the campaign against acid attacks on women in India. Laxmi was honoured with the International Women of Courage Award.

Laxmi with her daughter

Laxmi fell in love with 26-year-old Alok Dixit and gave a birth to their daughter Pihu. But, sadly Laxmi parted ways with her husband and had a hard time raising her daughter.

Deepika Padukone portraying Laxmi’s life on screen

Deepika Padukone will be portraying the character of Laxmi Agarwal on silver screen. The film has been titled as 'Chhapaak' and will be directed by Meghna Gulzar.

First look of ‘Chhapaak’

Today, the makers unveiled the first look of Deepika in 'Chhapaak'.