The Spirit controversy involving Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga has ignited crucial conversations around gender, power, and professionalism in the film industry!
It’s not uncommon for a film’s behind-the-scenes drama to spill into the public domain. We’ve seen it happen many times before, and as long as films continue to be made, such stories will keep emerging. After all, filmmaking involves real people navigating creative visions, personalities, and business interests. Sometimes, things don’t work out, and a fallout becomes inevitable. Lately, though, there’s been a spike in controversies surrounding the cast of major film projects, often turning into full-blown public spectacles. A recent example is the Hera Pheri 3 debacle, where Paresh Rawal’s exit led Akshay Kumar to take legal action over the damages, disappointing fans who were waiting eagerly for the iconic trio’s return. While that situation was still playing itself out, the latest headline-grabbing fallout involving filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Deepika Padukone created a storm. What began as a fallout has now spiralled into speculation, conflicting reports, and public jabs.
What we know so far
In 2023, Vanga announced his next film Spirit, with Telugu superstar Prabhas in the lead. Marketed as a pan-Indian spectacle, the project quickly gained attention, particularly around who would be cast opposite him. Eventually, Deepika Padukone was confirmed as the female lead. Reports at the time highlighted that her character in Spirit was said to be “the most well-written female role” in Vanga’s career so far. Coming to May 2025, news broke that Padukone had exited the film. The reasons varied depending on the source: some cited scheduling conflicts; others claimed she demanded ₹20 crore, a 6 to 8 hour workday, with renumeration for extra added days if the shoot goes beyond 100 days and declining to dub in Telugu. There were also whispers of creative differences.
Soon after, Triptii Dimri was confirmed as her replacement, with Dimri herself posting about it on social media. And if that wasn’t enough, a recent scoop claimed Spirit was an “A-rated action film” with bold, intimate scenes between the lead characters; it was speculated as something Padukone wasn’t comfortable with, but Dimri and Prabhas had agreed to. What had previously been described as a gritty cop drama had suddenly taken on a new tone which didn’t sit well with Vanga, who, in his angry response, posted a tweet about "outing the story" without naming anyone, yet making it clear about who he was hinting at. He accused the said actor of playing “dirty PR games.”
Unpacking the controversy
It’s easy to pick sides or assign blame, but we’re all working off what’s publicly available. The real story behind the SRV–Padukone fallout remains unclear. But there’s something telling in the way the narrative has shifted. When Deepika was cast, there was immediate online backlash, largely focused on her working with Vanga, whose films like Kabir Singh and Animal have drawn criticism for glorifying toxic masculinity. Around the same time, reports surfaced about Padukone's high fee of ₹20 crore. Now, with Triptii Dimri on board, the project is being painted in a different light; it is no longer about a well-written female role, but as a bold, “A-rated” film. The contrast of "older vs new actor" brought to the front also doesn't sit well either. Dimri has been praised for previous performances, but ever since her cameo in Animal, the word bold has started trailing her. It’s now being used to position her as the more suitable choice, compared to Padukone’s supposed discomfort. That comparison feels unnecessary and reductive especially when both actors have the right to set their own professional boundaries, including what and who they want to work with.
The bigger conversation: Work-life balance and pay parity
Lost in this curated media circus of creating unnecessary spicy drama is a much more important conversation about the right to a balanced work schedule and fair pay. If Padukone, with nearly 15+ years of experience, requested a 6 to 8 hour workday - what’s wrong with that? She’s a new mother trying to strike a balance between her personal and professional life. Isn't that what we expect from any modern workplace? The speculation around her high fee demands only highlights the long-standing gender pay gap in the industry. Male stars, including Prabhas, routinely command fees in the ₹100–200 crore range. But when a top-tier female actor asks for a figure that matches her worth, it’s portrayed as greed or diva behaviour. Could the double standard be more obvious here? This, in turn, raises the question of feminism only for the screen. Because what’s troubling is how quickly the narrative turns when a woman in the industry asserts her terms. The same industry that champions female-led stories on screen fails to uphold the same values behind the scenes. If an actor of Padukone’s stature is vilified for setting boundaries and asking for fair compensation, what message does that send to other women in the industry?
The fallout between a director and actor could’ve been a simple matter of having differing visions. Was there a need to turn this into an unnecessary spectacle? Not every professional split needs to be a scandal. Instead, it’s become a slow-burning tabloid saga full of leaked stories, veiled accusations and character assassinations. And while we’ve lost maintaining dignity and respect in holding disagreements, this controversy has sparked some much-needed conversations. If taken seriously, this can bring about a change in this industry we look up to so much.
What do you think of this controversy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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