With Chhapaak about to hit screen in a few days, it was time to sit down with the majestic Deepika Padukone and pick her brains about the film, how she prepped for such a demanding role and what it took to get into the skin of a real-life character like Laxmi Agarwal, who, unlike the roles in Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat, is a person who's still alive and very much in the public's eye for all to analyze. In an exclusive interview with BollywoodLife, Deepika Padukone made no bones that essaying a character like that of Laxmi is more demanding than that of Mastani or Padmaavati despite the latter two also being based on public figures.

"This is the first time I'm playing a real-life living character. Whether it was Mastani or Padmaavati, they're historical, almost surreal in a way. A role like that of Laxmi (Agarwal) is not. In that sense, I'd say that it's the first time I'm playing a real-life character of someone who can actually validate or negate my work. So, it no doubt comes with an added sense of responsibility."

On receiving such an articulate response (not surprising one bit though given that it's Deepika) on the subject, we decided to prod further and inquire if playing such a character, where the person is alive, providing a reference point, adds more pressure on the performance. Deepika didn't hesitate in agreeing with our line of question.

"Yes, it does...it certainly does add more pressure. Not only are you trying to satiate the expectations of an audience, but you also have the person, whose life you're portraying, to live up to. And honestly, more than the audience's validation, the person whom you're playing...that person's validation is way more important. So, for me, when Laxmi walked on to set for the first time, when we were filming in Delhi, on the first day, in fact...her validation when she had looked at me and said, 'I feel like I'm looking at myself in the mirror,' there's no bigger validation than that."

Elaborating on what would construe the film being a success according to her, Deepika added, "I think, similarly, as far as this movie is concerned, for me, it's true success will be when we see change in the society and the way society has viewed acid-attack survivors, how we treat them and the changes we'll hopefully see in legislation and how we financially impact their lives...if we're able to see change in this way, then I'll truly consider this film a success if we're able to impact people lives that way."

Chhapaak is directed by Meghna Gulzar of Raazi and Talvar fame, and will release on 10th January 2020. Stay tuned to BollywoodLife for all the latest scoops and updates.