Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s highly anticipated pan-India film Spirit has stirred major discussion in the entertainment world. Reports suggest that Deepika’s departure was due to several “unprofessional” demands, including an 8-hour workday, a ₹20 crore fee, profit-sharing rights, and reluctance to deliver dialogues in Telugu. However, many industry voices have come forward to defend her position.
Veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam, who recently collaborated with Deepika on Ponniyin Selvan II, publicly supported her, calling her demands “rightful” and “an absolute necessity.” Ratnam stressed that actors of Deepika’s stature have every right to set such conditions, and it’s the filmmaker’s duty to accommodate these requests if they want to work with top talent. His comments underscore the shifting expectations around professionalism and work-life balance in the film industry.
Actors Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan also expressed their support for Deepika’s insistence on an 8-hour workday. Devgn noted that this practice is widely accepted now, particularly for working mothers, while Saif highlighted the importance of family time, stating that true success lies in being able to spend quality time with one’s children.
Following Deepika’s exit, the makers of Spirit officially announced Triptii Dimri as the new female lead opposite Prabhas. This marks Triptii’s second collaboration with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga after the hit film Animal. Meanwhile, Deepika, currently seen in Kalki 2898 AD, has not yet made an official statement regarding the controversy. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga responded to the situation and a reported script leak with a cryptic social media post hinting at betrayal, without naming anyone directly.