Deepika Padukone has reportedly addressed the ongoing claims about her departure from the film Spirit. The actress liked an Instagram post that defended her actions more than a year after she left the project starring Prabhas. This interaction occurred just a day after Pranay Reddy Vanga, the film’s producer, elaborated on the reasons for her exit.

Journalist Janvi Manchanda shared an Instagram carousel that included commentary on Pranay’s statements, notably questioning the criticism regarding Deepika’s alleged demand for a 10 per cent profit share from the film. The post suggested a gender bias, highlighting how male actors have historically negotiated similar arrangements without facing the same level of scrutiny.

By liking the post, Deepika seemed to support the argument that such negotiations by female actors should not be heavily scrutinised when compared to their male counterparts. This social media interaction has reignited discussions regarding the circumstances of her exit from the film.

Producer Discusses Reasons for Deepika’s Exit

Following Deepika’s engagement on social media, Pranay Reddy Vanga spoke on NTV Telugu about the disagreements that led to her removal from the project. He indicated that issues such as remuneration and scheduling played significant roles in the decision-making process. Notably, Pranay claimed that Deepika sought a 10 per cent share of the film’s profits, which he regarded as a contributing factor to the discord.

Pranay stated, “The reasons are as I have already mentioned; one was remuneration, and the second was timing. Along with these, other factors contributed as well. She can request anything, but the economics must work for us.” His remarks suggest that as discussions progressed, the production team began to consider alternatives, leading to subsequent leaks about the situation.

He further clarified that the disagreement was not merely regarding an increase in her remuneration by Rs 5–6 crore, indicating a more complex situation surrounding her departure. While Pranay’s comments provided a new narrative regarding Deepika’s exit, she has yet to publicly respond to the specific allegations made against her.

Context Surrounding Deepika’s Departure from Spirit

Deepika Padukone’s exit from Spirit became a focal point of discussion over a year ago when reports emerged suggesting that she requested a fixed eight-hour workday. At that time, the actress defended her position, arguing that such a request was not unreasonable and was something male actors had also benefited from without facing similar backlash.

Following her departure, actress Triptii Dimri was cast in her place to star alongside Prabhas. The change prompted intense speculation regarding the reasons for Deepika’s exit, with some reports highlighting concerns about the film’s intimate scenes and the conditions she would have faced while filming.

Later, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga seemed to address the controversies surrounding this casting change in a post on X. While not mentioning Deepika by name, he alluded to issues of trust between actors and filmmakers and raised questions about the principles underpinning feminism. His comments included the hashtag “Dirty PR Games,” hinting at his perception of disinformation.

Deepika has previously stated her preference for resolving conflicts privately. In a 2025 interview, she expressed that she has often handled disputes silently, though some circumstances were taken public for reasons beyond her control. Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, is set for release on March 5, 2027, featuring a cast that includes Prabhas, Triptii Dimri, and Vivek Oberoi.

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