The controversy over Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit has intensified after the director’s brother, Pranay Reddy Vanga, shared contemporary particulars in regards to the discussions surrounding the movie.
Whereas Deepika’s reported eight-hour workday requirement had beforehand change into a significant speaking level, Pranay has now claimed that cash and profit-sharing had been additionally a part of the negotiations.
What’s Taking place
In an interview with NTV, Pranay spoke in regards to the choice to switch Deepika within the Prabhas-led movie.
He mentioned the discussions concerned a number of elements, together with the actor’s remuneration and dealing hours.
“The reason being the identical as what was already talked about. One was remuneration, the second was timing. Aside from that, there are another causes too,” Pranay mentioned.
In accordance with Pranay, the ultimate name to maneuver forward with out Deepika was taken by Sandeep. He claimed that the filmmaker had been in conversations with the actress for about 18 months and wished her to play an element in Spirit.
Pranay additionally hinted that Deepika’s current box-office success had strengthened her place throughout negotiations.
‘Deepika Demanded 10 Per Cent Of Movie’s Revenue’
Pranay alleged that the discussions went past negotiations over her appearing charge. In accordance with him, Deepika sought a share of the movie’s earnings.
He shared, “She demanded 10 per cent of the movie’s revenue. Quickly after, every part went overboard. See, she will be able to ask for something. If we’re keen to provide, we can provide. However the economics (price range) also needs to work out for us. We thought that it was not working. For this reason we considered different choices. As soon as we began searching for different choices, they began leaking every part.”
“We mentioned the story and character along with her. Issues mentioned internally shouldn’t be revealed, however she leaked all of them. That’s the reason we’re disturbed,” he mentioned.
He additionally clarified that, in keeping with his model of occasions, the disagreement was not merely about a further Rs 5-6 crore being sought as remuneration.
The Spirit Row
Deepika’s exit from Spirit had earlier triggered appreciable dialogue, significantly round studies that she had requested for an eight-hour workday. Triptii Dimri was subsequently introduced as her substitute reverse Prabhas.
The controversy intensified after studies emerged in regards to the movie’s plot and an alleged ‘A-Rated Motion’ ingredient.
Sandeep later expressed his displeasure on X with out naming the particular person he was referring to. He claimed that particulars he had mentioned with an actor in confidence had been disclosed publicly.
“After I narrate a narrative to an actor, I place 100% religion. There’s an unsaid NDA (Non Disclosure Settlement) between us. However by doing this, You’ve got ‘DISCLOSED’ the particular person that you’re…”
He additional wrote, “Placing down a Youthful actor and ousting my story? Is that this what your feminism stands for? As a filmmaker, I put years of exhausting work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is every part. You did not get it. You will not get it. You’ll by no means get it.”
Sandeep concluded the submit by writing, “Aisa karo…. Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha (Subsequent time, inform them the entire story as a result of I do not actually care.)”
He additionally quoted the saying, “Khundak mein billi khamba noche.” and used the hashtag “Soiled PR Video games”.
The 8-Hour Work Shift Debate
Deepika has beforehand spoken in regards to the wider dialogue round her working situations, though she has not addressed each declare linked to her departure from Spirit.
Chatting with CNBC-TV18 in 2025, the actor mentioned, “I’m somebody who has all the time fought my battles silently, and for some unusual purpose, generally they change into public-which shouldn’t be the way in which I do know and never the way in which I have been introduced up. To struggle my battles silently and in a dignified approach is the way in which I do know.”
In an earlier dialog with Brut India, Deepika defended her reported request for an eight-hour shift and mentioned she didn’t contemplate it unreasonable.
“I do not assume what I’m asking for is ridiculously unfair and I feel solely somebody who has labored within the system sufficient will know the situations that we work in. And I’m saying this, if I could say so myself, a prime star, so you’ll be able to solely think about what the working situations should be like for everybody else, for the crew, for instance,” she mentioned.
She additionally identified that related working hours have been adopted by male actors.
“I’m not the primary one who has requested for one thing like this. In actual fact, there are numerous actors, male actors, who’ve been engaged on a 8-hour shift for years and it is by no means made headlines,” she mentioned.
Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri, is scheduled to launch in March 2027.
