Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has found herself at the centre of a growing storm following her rumoured exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s much-hyped pan-India film Spirit.
While unverified reports accuse Deepika of making “unprofessional demands,” including an eight-hour workday cap, profit-sharing rights and refusal to speak Telugu, the narrative has taken a sharp turn with growing support from celebrities who are defending her stance on work-life balance and professional dignity.
According to reports by Bollywood Hungama, Deepika’s team had proposed several clauses in her contract for Spirit, such as a cap on daily working hours and additional pay for extended shooting schedules beyond the agreed 100-day limit. This triggered backlash, with some accusing the actress of being difficult to work with.
Tensions escalated when director Sandeep Reddy Vanga took to X, shortly after Pinkvilla published an article revealing plot details of Spirit.
Though he did not name Deepika directly, Vanga implied betrayal and hinted that she may have been linked to the leak, writing: “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100 per cent faith... But by doing this, you’ve DISCLOSED the person that you are… Is this what your feminism stands for?”
The cryptic yet pointed remarks have sparked outrage and prompted widespread debate in the industry. But many celebrities have since stepped in to support Deepika, framing her requests as entirely valid in a changing industry landscape.
Actress Tamannaah Bhatia subtly threw her support behind Deepika by liking a viral Instagram reel. The reel featured a resurfaced video of Deepika at a Chhapaak press conference in 2020, where she sternly rebuked a journalist who suggested her husband Ranveer Singh had financed her film.
Her assertive response – “Excuse me, this is my money” – struck a chord again, especially in the context of current allegations. On-screen text on the reel highlighted issues like misogyny, gender pay gaps and double standards – themes many believe are relevant to the Spirit row.
At the trailer launch of Maa, actors Kajol and Ajay Devgn offered candid takes on the controversy, without naming names.
“I love the fact if you can work less,” Kajol said, drawing laughter and applause. Ajay added: “Most honest filmmakers will not have a problem with this. It’s really about mutual respect and flexibility.”
Actor Saif Ali Khan, speaking at the Arab Media Summit, gave perhaps the most heartfelt endorsement of Deepika’s alleged stance.
“I hate coming home and seeing the kids already asleep. That’s not success,” said Saif. “Success is being able to say, ‘No, I need to go home now to catch that half hour with them.’”
He continued, “We get four holidays a year, and when my kids are on break, I don’t work. That time is sacred. Success and privilege, for me, is being able to say no to work and yes to time with my family.”
Veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam, who directed Deepika in Ponniyin Selvan II, dismissed the backlash as unwarranted and out of sync with modern industry standards.
“I think it is a rightful demand,” Ratnam told News18. “I’m glad she’s in a position to ask for it. It is not an unreasonable thing to ask, but an absolute necessity.”
He emphasised the importance of adapting to new expectations: “You have to acknowledge that, understand it and work around it. That’s the evolution of the industry.”
As speculation rages on, the makers of Spirit have announced that Triptii Dimri will replace Deepika as the female lead opposite Prabhas. This will mark her second collaboration with director Vanga.
Deepika has yet to release an official statement on the matter and continues promotional duties for her upcoming film Kalki 2898 AD.
The controversy has not only reignited debates on gender dynamics in Bollywood but has also highlighted the growing call for structured professionalism. The notion that asking for an eight-hour workday or profit sharing is “unprofessional” is being met with increasing resistance, especially as more celebrities speak out in favour of such demands.
Online, fans and industry observers are echoing these sentiments, praising Deepika for standing her ground.
Hashtags like #IStandWithDeepika and #WorkLifeBalance are trending across social platforms, marking this moment as more than a celebrity spat – but a flashpoint in the conversation about professionalism, equity and respect in the Indian film industry.
