Deepika sparks furore for calling present India 'great' while sitting next to BJP member at Cannes

Actor was called out for shifting tone despite previously having joined JNU protests and receiving threats from BJP

Entertainment Desk May 19, 2022
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On May 18, BJP’s Anurag Thakur inaugurated the India Pavilion at the 75th Cannes Film Festival. The event was attended by several Indian celebrities, including Deepika Padukone, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, AR Rahman, among others, as per India Today.

Sitting beside Anurag while speaking at the inauguration, Deepika got candid about being a jury member at the biggest international film festival in the world. She spoke about feeling ‘extremely overwhelmed’ and said she believes there will come a day when Cannes will be in India.

And while that is a logistical nightmare, many are calling out Deepika for sitting alongside Anurag - BJP member with a history of inciting violence against so-called ‘anti-nationals’ - and making comments that reek of “nationalist propaganda” glorifying BJP, as she states India at present is at the "cusp of greatness". It is pertinent to mention here that this year, Cannes’ Marche’ Du Film is celebrating India as its Official Country of Honour.

Deepika said, “15 years ago, when I came to this industry, I don’t think anyone had faith in me or my talent. So, 15 years later, to be a part of the jury and to be… I wouldn’t say judging, but experiencing some of the best cinema in the world has been an incredible journey and I am truly grateful for that.” She then added, “I also truly believe that India is at the cusp of greatness. This is just the beginning. I want to thank people like Rahman sir. I think you are the ones who have put India on the global map. It is because of your contribution over the years that has allowed people like us to be here today.”

The Gehraiyaan star noted that while there is only a handful of Indian’s who have represented the country at Cannes, India has the potential to offer more. “I feel as a nation, we have it. We just need conviction. I truly believe there will come a day when Indians won’t have to be at Cannes, and Cannes (film festival) will be in India.”

Indian social media users, albeit, aren’t too thrilled about this representation (read, glorification). And many in Pakistan appear disappointed too. “Deepika stood with students of JNU and was rightly commended. Still, it seems almost impossible for celebrities not to reinforce narratives of the ascent of the nation, which are not only disconnected and delusional but also dangerous,” wrote Arsalan Khan.

“Deepika, how would you relocate Cannes in India? But just to refresh your memory,” shared Suja Saikia, attaching a recent report of Haryana’s BJP leader offering INR10 crore for Deepika’s head. Sandeep Saxena inquired, “So, disaster equals greatness? Is this [a consequence of] the pressure of the BJP member sitting beside you? Because since when did [you] Deepika, start sugar coating things?”

Another named Sandeep Ramesh mocked, “Looks like they met in JNU and overcame their differences.” Shyant Sao also quipped, “The Greatness: Indian ruling party member offers bounty for beheading of Bollywood’s biggest female star – The Washington Post.” An unnamed user remarked, “The guy sitting next to her would have whispered in her ears ‘Desh ke gaddaron ko…’. Should have sufficed for her to change the script.

In January 2020, Anurag, while addressing an election rally, repeatedly chanted “Desh ke gaddaron ko” and had people respond with “goli maaro saalon ko”. A chant that roughly translates to “What should be done to the traitors of the country? They should be shot!" Since BJP came into power in India, the chant is often used to threaten and otherise anyone who does not adhere to the state-approved narrative of India. This is the same chant that echoed across theatres after The Kashmir Files was screened.

But while most were simply disappointed in Deepika, some also felt sorry for her. An unnamed user ushered, “Poor Deepika. One must feel for her to spout such rubbish. After experiencing trolls first hand post JNU and sitting next to Goli Maaro, her natural self-preservation instinct must’ve taken over and she had to play safe."

Deepika is yet to respond to the backlash.

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