Deepika Padukone won the Powerful Performer of the Year award at the 2020 Femina Beauty Awards. She dedicated her win to Laxmi Agarwal and all other acid attack survivors. Deepika played Malti, a character inspired by Agarwal. In the film, she went on to file a PIL that regulated the sale of acid in the country. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the film was a success despite its controversies.
In her Instagram caption, Deepika wrote. "Chhapaak truly has been the most difficult film of my career... Having said that, Chhapaak for me is not just a film. It is a movement; that has challenged the definition and our understanding of ‘Beauty’.”
She then quoted Elisabeth Ross. “Famous American Swiss Psychiatrist Elisabeth Ross said, the most beautiful people we have known are those who have known to suffer, known struggle, known loss, known defeat...and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness and deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen (sic).” "I dedicate tonight’s award to Laxmi Agarwal and every single acid attack survivor who on this most incredible journey has shown us all what beauty truly means! #feminabeautyawards2020," she concluded.
Chhapaak also starred Vikrant Massey in the lead role. Though it was not successful at the box office, it made a social statement. The Uttarakhand government also started a pension for acid attack survivors.
