Sandeep Reddy Vanga Calls Out Deepika Padukone Over ‘Spirit’ Exit: A Storm Brews in Bollywood

In a fiery post that has taken social media by storm, filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga accused actress Deepika Padukone of breaching trust after her reported exit from his upcoming film Spirit. Vanga, known for his intense storytelling and blockbuster hits like Kabir Singh and Animal, didn’t hold back as he called out what he described as “dirty PR games” and questioned the ethics behind Padukone’s actions. The director expressed deep disappointment, alleging that Deepika had not only violated an “unsaid NDA” by leaking story elements but also tried to discredit the young actress who replaced her — Triptii Dimri.

The controversy stems from behind-the-scenes tensions that reportedly began with Deepika’s growing list of demands. According to industry sources, the actress asked for a significantly higher paycheck and insisted on a six-hour workday schedule, which the makers found impractical for a film of Spirit’s scale. Eventually, this led to her removal from the project, with rising star Triptii Dimri stepping into the role. But the storm didn’t settle there. Vanga's recent post implies that after her exit, Deepika attempted to control the narrative through backchannel PR, painting herself as the wronged party.

Vanga’s words weren’t just a defense of his film but also a broader critique of certain trends in Bollywood. His reference to feminism — “Is this what your feminism stands for?” — added fuel to the already volatile mix, suggesting that he felt feminism was being misused as a shield for unprofessional behavior. The use of the Hindi proverb “खुंदक में बिल्ली खंबा नोचे” (a cat scratches a pole in frustration) served as a sharp jab, insinuating that Deepika’s alleged actions were born out of resentment rather than principle.

This public fallout has sparked debate in the industry and among fans, raising questions about professionalism, gender dynamics, and power plays in Bollywood. While Deepika has not yet officially responded to the allegations, the incident has already triggered a ripple effect — not just around the fate of Spirit, but also around how the film industry navigates accountability, stardom, and collaboration. With Prabhas headlining the ambitious project and Vanga defending its integrity, all eyes are now on how the saga unfolds — both on and off screen.