Mumbai: Deepika Padukone has seemingly responded to the latest controversy surrounding her reported exit from Prabhas-starrer Spirit by liking a social media post that criticised the film’s makers and described the episode as a “male ego crisis”. The actress has not issued a direct statement on the fresh allegations made by producer Pranay Reddy Vanga.
The controversy resurfaced after Pranay Reddy Vanga, brother of Spirit director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, spoke about the reasons behind Deepika’s departure from the project. He alleged that the actress had sought a 10% share of the film’s profits and claimed that confidential discussions about the film were subsequently leaked.
Deepika’s reported social media reaction has now added another layer to the long-running dispute.
Deepika likes post criticising ‘male ego’
According to reports, Deepika liked a post shared by journalist Janvi Manchanda that criticised the reaction to her reported demands for Spirit.
The post argued that a woman asking for a share in a film’s profits was being treated differently from how a male star making a similar demand might be perceived. It described the situation as a manifestation of misogyny, sexism and male ego, and said that Deepika had the right to reject a professional deal.
Deepika did not accompany the interaction with a separate public statement. Her reported “like” has nevertheless been interpreted as her apparent response to the latest comments surrounding her exit.
What did the Spirit producer claim?
Pranay Reddy Vanga has now offered his version of the events that resulted in Deepika leaving Spirit.
He said that remuneration and working hours were among the issues discussed with the actress. He further claimed that Deepika asked for 10% of the film’s profits.
According to Pranay, the producers considered the financial implications of the demand and eventually decided to explore other casting options. He also alleged that internal discussions about the film and its story were leaked after the makers began considering alternatives.
These are claims made by the producer, and Deepika or her representatives have not publicly confirmed the allegations.
The 8-hour workday controversy
Deepika’s departure from Spirit had already become controversial last year, when reports suggested that disagreements over her working hours and remuneration were among the reasons for the casting change.
The actress had been associated with the project opposite Prabhas before eventually leaving the film. She was subsequently replaced by Triptii Dimri as the female lead.
At the time, discussions around an alleged eight-hour working schedule became a major talking point in the Hindi film industry.
Deepika had previously spoken publicly about the importance of fixed working hours, particularly in the context of balancing professional commitments and personal responsibilities.
Deepika has not directly addressed the new allegations
Despite the latest claims, Deepika has not released a detailed public response addressing Pranay’s allegations about the reported profit-sharing demand or the alleged leak of confidential information.
Her reported decision to like the social media post is therefore being viewed as an indirect reaction rather than a formal response.
This distinction is important because the allegations currently remain part of a dispute in which the two sides have not publicly presented a single agreed account of what happened.
Spirit was expected to reunite Deepika and Prabhas
Spirit generated considerable attention when Deepika was linked to the project opposite Prabhas.
The film was expected to reunite the two actors after their collaboration in Kalki 2898 AD, which became one of the biggest Indian films of its release period.
Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Spirit is being developed as a major action-oriented project with Prabhas in the lead.
Deepika’s eventual departure changed the film’s casting plans, with Triptii Dimri taking over the female lead.
Pranay Reddy Vanga’s latest comments revive old controversy
The latest comments have brought an issue that had largely faded from the headlines back into public discussion.
Pranay’s remarks are particularly significant because earlier reports had largely focused on remuneration and working-hour disagreements. His new allegations introduce additional claims involving profit-sharing and the handling of confidential information.
The renewed debate has also shifted attention towards the broader question of how leading actors negotiate compensation, schedules and contractual conditions for large-scale films.
The debate over women negotiating in Bollywood
Deepika’s reported reaction has also fuelled a wider discussion about gender and negotiations in the entertainment industry.
The social media post she reportedly liked argued that demands for higher remuneration or profit participation should not automatically be viewed negatively when made by female actors.
The issue has particular relevance in an industry where male stars have traditionally commanded a significant share of a film’s economics.
However, whether a particular demand is commercially viable ultimately depends on the agreement between the actor and producers.
A dispute with two different narratives
The Spirit controversy now involves competing narratives.
The producers have highlighted financial and scheduling considerations and have made allegations about confidential information. On the other hand, commentary supporting Deepika has focused on her reported demand for reasonable working conditions and the right to negotiate her contract.
Neither side’s complete version of the dispute has been independently established in the latest reports.
As a result, the allegations should be treated as claims rather than established facts.
Deepika moves ahead with other projects
While the Spirit controversy continues to resurface, Deepika has several major professional commitments ahead.
Her reported departure from Spirit did not signal an end to her association with major commercial cinema. The actress remains one of Bollywood’s most prominent stars and continues to be linked with high-profile projects.
Her career has also increasingly involved balancing film commitments with personal priorities and selective choices about the projects she takes on.
Spirit controversy continues
The latest development demonstrates how disagreements surrounding major film projects can remain in the public spotlight long after a casting change has taken place.
Deepika’s reported “like” has now become the latest talking point, particularly because the post directly framed the controversy around sexism and male ego.
For now, however, the actress has not provided a detailed statement responding to Pranay Reddy Vanga’s allegations.
Conclusion
Deepika Padukone has seemingly responded to the latest Spirit controversy by liking a social media post that criticised the reaction to her reported demands and described the situation as a “male ego crisis”.
The development comes after producer Pranay Reddy Vanga claimed that Deepika had sought 10% of the film’s profits and alleged that confidential discussions about the project were leaked. He also cited remuneration and scheduling issues as factors behind her exit.
Deepika has not directly addressed these latest allegations, meaning the claims remain part of a continuing dispute with competing accounts. The actress was replaced by Triptii Dimri in Spirit, which stars Prabhas and is directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
For now, her reported social media activity has reignited discussion about the film, celebrity contracts, working-hour demands and the wider debate over how male and female stars are treated when negotiating major film projects.