Overview

• Deepika Padukone exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Spirit after producers rejected her request for a fixed eight-hour schedule and a ₹40 crore fee.
• Vanga took to X to denounce Padukone’s professionalism and accuse her of leaking confidential details as “dirty PR games.”
• Neha Dhupia publicly defended Padukone’s demand for fair and considerate working hours in an Instagram story.
• Filmmaker Mani Ratnam and actor Ajay Devgn have backed the call for flexible schedules, while Rana Daggubati has urged a balanced approach.
• Triptii Dimri has been named Padukone’s replacement in Spirit, reportedly signing on for ₹4 crore.