Of Trauma & Triumph - Deepika Padukone and Laxmi Agarwal

What do Deepika Padukone and Laxmi Agarwal have in common? They both possess unparalleled grit and determination to overcome obstacles. In a freewheeling chat with nikshubha garg, they open up about being women, their low moments, and learning from each other

- Nikshubha Garg

Deepika Padukone and Laxmi Agarwal share an undeniable ease. The actor, who turned producer with the venture, portrayed the latter’s life (she is an acid attack survivor) on celluloid in the recently-released Chhapaak (directed by Meghna Gulzar), and the duo get chatty as they gear up to face the camera. In our brief interaction before the shoot, an enthusiastic Agarwal is looking forward to doing something ‘different’. As things progress, we witness Padukone’s protective side, who ensures that her partner for the day is comfortable and enjoying the process. They laugh, converse, make important statements, and just like that, we call it a night.

Women are making their presence felt like never before. What does it mean to be a woman today?

LAXMI: For us to even discuss the meaning of being a woman is incorrect. It’s important to understand that we are human beings first, who have been bestowed with responsibilities to be fulfilled.

DEEPIKA: I agree, we need to change the fact that we have to address womanhood. We need to think of ourselves as individuals, as humans, and do what’s best for the world and society without allowing our gender to come in the way.

Do you feel that women are fully empowered in the country today?