• By Swati Singh
  • Fri, 06 Jun 2025 09:08 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Deepika Padukone's exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit has garnered a lot of attention. Earlier, it was reported that the actress demanded an 8-hour-working shift, a profit cut sharing and a ballpark remuneration of Rs 20 crore. The demands reportedly did not sit well with Vanga who then roped in Triptii Dimri for the role. Amid controversy, the real reason behind Deepika's exit from Spirit has been revealed by a source close to development.

According to News18, a source claimed, "There seems to be a deliberate attempt to control the narrative. The actress’ perception team is struggling to come to terms with her replacement and is conveniently spinning her exit as a ‘work-life balance’ decision. But the reality is quite different."

"The actor had reportedly demanded ₹25 crores for approximately 35 days of shoot, along with a 10% profit share, extensive entourage expenses and even expressed unwillingness to deliver dialogues in Telugu—something the director felt strongly about. To top it off, confidential plot details from Spirit were allegedly leaked, which raised serious concerns among the producers," the source further added.

"Contrary to speculation, her restricted filming schedule of under 8 hours a day was never the primary issue. In filmmaking, working hours are fluid and depend on location, lighting, and various technical factors. You could shoot for 2 hours or 8, depending on the scene. What truly matters is flexibility, collaboration, and respect for the craft," the source concluded.

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The source further stated, "It’s about commitment. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga believes actors speaking their own lines builds authenticity and emotional connect with the audience. Also using this situation many are commenting on the work life balance without knowing the facts and understanding repercussions a production/director can face, this is not just misleading; it’s unfair. This isn’t about hours or schedules, it’s about unreasonable demands, lack of adaptability, and unprofessional conduct."