Chhapaak: Fake negative reviews flood ticketing website on release day

Deepika Padukone and Meghna Gulzar's Chhapaak released in theatres today. The film has released alongside Ajay Devgn and Kajol's Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior and Rajinikanth's Darbar. Though Chhapaak has received glorious reviews from critics and the audience alike, negative reviews, mostly fake (we will tell you why) of the film have come up on the online ticket booking website, BookMyShow.

Almost all the reviews of Chhapaak on the website are negative, something that's clearly unlikely. Which makes it an obvious case of false reviews. Chhapaak stayed out of controversy since its inception, but the film and Deepika Padukone came in the line of fire after she visited JNU on January 7 to show solidarity with the students injured in an attack on Sunday (January 5) night.

After Deepika's JNU visit, trolls targeted Chhapaak by spreading false news on social media. Chhapaak is based on the story of Laxmi Agarwal, who at 15 was attacked with acid by a man called Naeem Khan. Fake tweets on social media claimed that the name of Naeem Khan has been replaced by Rajesh Sharma in the film, while in reality, Naeem's name has been changed to Basheer Khan in Chhapaak. Rajesh is the name of Malti's boyfriend in the film.

One social media user wrote a false review of Chhapaak on BookMyShow alleging the same 'attacker's religion has been changed'. It read, "They change the name of criminal to save some anti-national religion... (sic)"

Another review read, "I guess this is the reason why she had to go to JNU to promote her filme. i guess overall it shall affect adversely to the movie as other movie is getting good reviews. (sic)"

One more review read, "All Characters names changed... dummy acting poor performance... not worth for money... songs are not at all good best to watch when it comes in television. (sic)"

Another review read, "If films based on true events then show the truth without any misinformation. saving the real culprit name and blaming a particular religion everytime by this Bollywood is enough. (sic)" Clearly the 'reviewers' hadn't even watched the film.

Here is a glimpse of a few more such 'reviews' on Book My Show.

It all began on Tuesday night with Deepika's visit to JNU. As soon as photos of Deepika at the university, standing with JNUSU president Aishe Ghosh and Kanhaiya Kumar surfaced online, the trolling began. BJP's Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga was among the first people to call for a boycott of Deepika's Chhapaak, a tweet that was picked up and amplified by various Right Wing supporter accounts.

By Wednesday morning, the 'acid attacker's religion changed' narrative had also been floated on social media, with little concern for facts. The truth about the attacker's religion in the film was soon clarified, since there was a select screening on Tuesday evening. Trolls tried their best to pull down Chhapaak even before it could hit the screens.

Twitter users, however, have a totally different point of view on Chhapaak. Many have lauded the film on the micro-blogging site.

One user wrote, "Very good movie #Chhapaak."

Very good movie #Chhapaak pic.twitter.com/7zEJ4fG8yR MJ RAZA (@MjRaza7) January 10, 2020

Another user wrote, "Irrespective of everything do watch #Chhapaak, to see the face of our judicial system, hospital, police, society....story of true struggle which make u feel ur life Is easy, beautiful & not that cruel. Few scenes leaves a smile on lips & few teardrop in eyes & few palm of eyes."

Irrespective of everything do watch #Chhapaak, to see the face of our judicial system, hospital, police, society....story of true struggle which make u feel ur life Is easy, beautiful & not that cruel.
Few scenes leaves a smile on lips & few teardrop in eyes & few palm of eyes pic.twitter.com/Qtdw1KccKD Yashasvi (@girlwithwingss) January 10, 2020

A moviegoer wrote, " I don't know how to start about #Chhapaak ... @deepikapadukone is the strength & soul of the film... As a fan it makes you so proud to see her performance.. one of her best performance or THE BEST Performance of Deepika. Go & buy tickets just to see Malti's Smile."

I don't know how to start about #Chhapaak ...@deepikapadukone is the strength & soul of the film... As a fan it makes you so proud to see her performance.. one of her best performance or
THE BEST Performance of Deepika.
Go & buy tickets just to see Malti's Smile CHHAPAAK on 10 JAN 2020 (@Vishnu__Bala) January 10, 2020

One more user wrote, "And #Chhapaak is one of the best film ever produced by bollywood . Delivered the sensitive topic with ease ! Shows how amidst of all the circumstances one can easily pull her life with sheen. It will start immersing you in its depth right from the beginning to end."

And #Chhapaak is one of the best film ever produced by bollywood . Delivered the sensitive topic with ease ! Shows how amidst of all the circumstances one can easily pull her life with sheen. It will start immersing you in its depth right from the beginning to end. Rahul verma (@RahulVerma4860) January 8, 2020

Bollywood celebrities too have taken to social media to praise the film. Going by the audience and critic reviews, it is clear that Meghna Gulzar has carefully handled the sensitive subject of acid attack while making it an entertaining watch.

Though Deepika had to face some trolling post her JNU visit, a large section of social media users praised the actress for her move.

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