Deepika Padukone is all set to begin filming Chhapaak by the end of March and will head to New Delhi a week before the Meghna Gulzar directorial goes on floors to “settle into her character” and familiarize herself with the location, a leading daily reports. Chhapaak casts Deepika as acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal and sources told the daily that she is doing her bit of research to understand the nuances of her character in the film.

The 33-year-old actress met Laxmi Agarwal in Delhi a few years ago. In order to prepare for her role, Deepika is also referencing pictures and videos of Laxmi apart from stories of other acid attack survivors.

[caption id="attachment_227951" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Meghna Gulzar and Deepika Padukone spotted in Mumbai[/caption]

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“Deepika, who met Laxmi in Delhi a few years ago, is putting eight hours into her prep daily. Besides readings with Meghna, she is referencing pictures and videos of Laxmi. The team has also put together data on 10 other acid attack survivors to understand the subject better,” a source told the daily.

Chhapaak will be co-produced by Deepika. Last year, Laxmi, while speaking to a leading website, said that she is glad that Deepika is playing her role in a film. “I believe art is art. I am so happy that Deepika is playing the role. I have no right to judge her. How can I judge someone for something which I can’t do? She has played wonderful characters on screen and I believe she will give her best,” Laxmi had said.

[caption id="attachment_151760" align="aligncenter" width="800"] File photo of Laxmi Agarwal[/caption]

Laxmi Agarwal survived a horrific acid attack in New Delhi in 2005 as she was attacked by a man whose proposal she had rejected.

Deepika was last seen onscreen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2018 release Padmaavat.