Vivek Agnihotri Claims PR 'Misled' Deepika Padukone During JNU Visit 'I Guarantee She Had No Idea..'

Vivek Agnihotri, best known as the director of The Kashmir Files, stirred a fresh round of controversy surrounding Bollywood actress, Deepika Padukone’s infamous visit to the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) protest in 2020. The filmmaker suggested that the actress’s visit was not a conscious political move on her part but a misstep prompted by poor advice from her PR team, adding that Deepika might not even have a clear idea about the protest.

Vivek Agnihotri reignites Deepika Padukone’s JNU visit controversy

Deepika Padukone’s questionable visit to JNU in January 2020 became one of the most talked-about moments in recent Bollywood history. Just days before Chhapaak, Deepika appeared at the JNU campus to stand in silent solidarity with students protesting a violent attack by masked assailants on campus. While she didn’t speak publicly, her presence alone had sparked intense national debate.

In a recent chat with Shubhankar Mishra, Vivek Agnihotri confidently claimed that Deepika Padukone was unaware of the political weight her JNU protest visit carried. When asked if the decision reflected poorly on Deepika’s judgment, Agnihotri denied calling her ‘dumb’, instead suggesting that her PR team misled her into believing the appearance would serve as a promotional activity for her then-upcoming film. The filmmaker remarked:

“I can guarantee that Deepika had no idea about JNU politics when she went there. It’s not about being dumb. Her PR must’ve told her that this is a good opportunity to promote your film, because the university is associated with politics, and the film is also political. If she had known, she wouldn’t have come.”

Agnihotri also highlighted the pressure celebrities face during film promotions, where multiple advisors and PR teams influence their decisions. The filmmaker emphasised that had Deepika were a smart and intelligent woman, and had known the political sensitivity of the protest, she would not have gotten involved in it. However, her PR misread the protest as an event and saw it as an opportunity to gain publicity before Chhapaak. In his words:

“I don’t know her personally, so I don’t know what ideology she aligns with. I do know that she is a very smart and intelligent woman. Had she known that this is a politically sensitive place and that it might impact her career, she would’ve definitely not gone. During film promotions, there are too many voices telling stars what to do and who to speak to. Her PR was mistaken; they thought it was an event. But it wasn’t an event. Bigger fish than her have been fried for getting involved in politics.”

Meghna Gulzar admitted the JNU row hurt Chhapaak's box office

In an earlier chat at the Indian Express Adda, Chhapaak director, Meghna Gulzar had said that Deepika’s JNU visit diverted public attention from the film’s core message of acid attack survivors, hence putting a dent in the film’s success. Despite receiving critical acclaim for her portrayal of Malti, an acid attack survivor, Deepika’s film struggled commercially. Meghna was quoted as saying:

"I am sure that answer is pretty obvious. Yes, it did make a dent on the film because the conversation went from acid violence, which I intended the film to amplify… The conversation actually changed track and went somewhere else, so of course it impacted the film. There is no denying that.”

Agnihotri’s recent comments have reignited the debate around PR-driven angles of Bollywood activism. Meanwhile, his upcoming film, The Bengal Files, has already created a stir online. The film is set to hit theatres on September 5, 2025.

Let us know your thoughts on Vivek Agnihotri’s views on Deepika Padukone’s controversial JNU visit.

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