Chhapaak: Fox Star agrees to acknowledge Aparna Bhat's contribution during international screening, contribute Rs 50 lakh towards public good

Fox Star Studios today informed the Delhi High Court that it would give credit to acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal's lawyer, Aparna Bhat, for her contribution to the film during the screening of the film overseas..Apart from adding the acknowledgement, Fox Star has also volunteered to make a contribution of Rs 50 lakh towards larger public good from its CSR or other funds. .Out of the Rs 50 lakh, Rs 25 lakh will be contributed towards 'Aasra Fund' for the benefit of burn victims. The remaining amount shall be used for a plantation drive in city's central ridge area..The averments were made by a Fox Star representative before a Single Judge Bench of Justice Najmi Waziri in a contempt plea moved by Bhat..On January 11, the Court had directed makers of Chhapaak to give credit to Bhat during the screening of the film. .As per the order, the filmmakers shall acknowledge the contribution to the film made by Advocate Aparna Bhat in the beginning of the film by adding the line, “Inputs by Ms. Aparna Bhat, the lawyer who represented Laxmi Agarwal are acknowledged.”.It was Bhat's grievance that the filmmakers failed to comply with the order internationally. .Counsel appearing for Fox Star, Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, today acknowledged that the order was misconstrued to have been applicable to only domestic exhibition..To fully comply with the order now, Nayar stated that all endeavours shall be made to include the acknowledgement during the overseas exhibition of the film within 48 hours. Additionally, the company would also be making a contribution of Rs 25 lakh to the burn victims' fund..The remaining Rs 25 lakh shall be used for plantation of 25,000 trees which are three and a half years old and 6 ft tall, in Delhi's Central Ridge area. For this purpose, the Fox Star representative will visit the Deputy Conservator of Forests..The plantation drive shall be completed by the first week of March, 2020, as per the order and a compliance report shall be placed before the Court..In view of the abive, the contempt petition was not pressed by Bhat. .Bhat was represented by Senior Advocate Sanjay Parikh..Read the Order: