"One must feel for her to spout such rubbish."
On May 18, 2022, BJP’s Anurag Thakur inaugurated the India Pavilion at the 75th Cannes Film Festival.
The event was attended by several celebrities, including Deepika Padukone, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and AR Rahman among others.
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.
Many are calling out Deepika for sitting alongside Anurag and making comments that glorify the 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 Padukone 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 Indians 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 will be in India.”
"India is at the cusp of greatness. This is just the beginning. There will come a day when India won't have to be at Cannes, but Cannes will be in India": @deepikapadukone at the inauguration of India Pavilion at #CannesFilmFestival
(ANI) pic.twitter.com/0P92Sz0BwL
— NDTV (@ndtv) May 18, 2022
Indian social media users, albeit, aren’t too thrilled about this representation.
Arsalan Khan said: “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.”
Suja Saikia added: “Deepika, how would you relocate Cannes to India?”
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?”
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 Padukone is yet to respond to the backlash.
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