Deepika Padukone went to JNU for film publicity, says Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam minister and senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that actor Deepika Padukone’s visit to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was for publicity. “She went to JNU to grab limelight without investment on a publicity campaign by her (movie) producer,” Sarma said at a press conference on Thursday.

Updated on: Jan 10, 2020, 08:52:28 IST

Hindustan Times, Guwahati | By Utpal Parashar

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Assam minister and senior BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma has said that actor Deepika Padukone’s visit to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) was for publicity.

Deepika Padukone is seen at a gathering at JNU in solidarity with the students against Sunday’s violence, in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, January 07, 2020. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo)

“She went to JNU to grab limelight without investment on a publicity campaign by her (movie) producer,” Sarma said at a press conference on Thursday.

Padukone’s film ‘Chhapaak’ - which is based on the life of an acid attack victim - is releasing on January 10.

Terming it to be a trend among movie actors, Sarma said that ahead of a film’s release they create some controversy and visit public institutions.

On Thursday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel announced that the movie will be tax free in their respective states.

Padukone had visited the JNU campus in New Delhi on January 7 to take part in a protest by students and show solidarity with them against the violence unleashed inside the university on Sunday by some masked goons. Later, speaking to a television channel, Deepika said she was “very angry” at the situation.

Her visit divided social media, where trends ranged from #ISupportDeepika to #BoycottChhapaak.

Sarma accused Left leaning students and teachers of JNU of creating an atmosphere of intolerance where people who don’t subscribe to their ideology are not allowed to express their views.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar
A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.Read More