'Is Deepika Padukone dumb', "no but she was unaware of JNU": Vivek Agnihotri's explosive remarks spark buzz

In a fresh conversation that’s reigniting an old debate, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri has reflected on Deepika Padukone’s much-discussed appearance at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2020. This incident became a defining moment during the promotion of her film Chhapaak. Speaking in an interview with journalist Shubhankar Mishra, Agnihotri suggested that Deepika may have unknowingly walked into politically turbulent waters, guided more by public relations advice than personal conviction.

At the time, Deepika had joined students in silent solidarity after masked individuals attacked people on the JNU campus. Her presence at the protest, which coincided with growing nationwide unrest around the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), quickly snowballed into a political controversy. While she made no verbal statement, just standing with the students became a headline moment and, as many believe, a turning point in the public perception of Chhapaak.

Agnihotri, known for his own politically charged cinema, said he believes the decision for her to attend the protest may not have come from her own political understanding. “I can guarantee Deepika had no idea about JNU politics when she went there,” he stated.

He was quick to clarify that he doesn’t consider Deepika unintelligent. On the contrary, he called her “smart” and “aware,” stating that had she known the full extent of the political implications, she may have avoided the visit altogether.

Both Agnihotri and Chhapaak director Meghna Gulzar agree on one thing: the controversy overshadowed the film’s core message about acid attack survivors. What was meant to highlight a brutal societal issue ended up being overshadowed by political debate.

On the workfront, Vivek Agnihotri recently announced the change of title for his film. What was initially called The Delhi Files will now be called The Bengal Files. He mentioned that this decision was taken based on public demand. The film is set for a September 5, 2025 release.