Deepika Padukone Breaks Silence After Exiting ‘Spirit’; Responds to Indirect Jabs from Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Deepika Padukone finally reacts to the Spirit fallout with Sandeep Reddy Vanga, emphasizing authenticity and inner peace amid mounting controversy and online speculation.

Deepika Padukone Breaks Silence After Exiting ‘Spirit’; Responds to Indirect Jabs from Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Deepika Padukone from her recent appearance in Cartier Soiree at Stockholm.

A potential cinematic collaboration that had fans buzzing with excitement has now turned into a full-blown controversy. Deepika Padukone’s sudden exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s much-anticipated cop thriller Spirit has made headlines, especially after the filmmaker took to social media with cryptic yet pointed remarks about the actress’s alleged “unprofessionalism” and “PR tactics.” While Deepika has not issued a direct statement, her recent public appearances and interviews seem to subtly address the ongoing uproar.

A Subtle Response?

On Tuesday night, Deepika made a striking appearance at a glitzy Cartier event, marking her first public outing since the fallout with Vanga. During an off-stage conversation at the event, Deepika spoke about how she navigates complex situations, saying, “I think what keeps me balanced is just being truthful and authentic. Whenever I am faced with complicated or difficult situations… To be able to listen to my inner voice, make decisions, and stand by those decisions, that really gives me a lot of peace. That is when I feel most in equilibrium.”

In another interaction with Harper’s Bazaar, the actress doubled down on her belief in trusting her instincts. “I just listen to my gut, what feels right. I think it’s easier said than done. But, when you shut out the noise around you, and you listen to just your gut, I think the answers are always there,” she said. “Wanting to collaborate with people that I know I’m going to have a good time working with, being surrounded by family and friends, and being authentic—this is how I think I’m able to find my balance.”

Internet Reacts: “Unbothered Queen” or PR Play?

Deepika’s composed demeanor has drawn mixed reactions online. While a segment of her fanbase praised her poise, dubbing her the “unbothered queen,” others speculated whether the entire narrative was being carefully managed by a public relations strategy. “Ranveer with his multiple accounts is in comments today,” joked one user, while another sarcastically added, “Cartier should have invited Vanga too.” A viral comment read, “Word of the Day – Unbothered!”

Behind the Fallout

Though Deepika had previously worked with Prabhas in Kalki 2898 AD, her decision to opt out of Spiritwhich also stars the actor, reportedly stemmed from unmet professional terms. Bollywood Hungama, the actress was firm on shooting no more than eight hours per day and asked for additional compensation if the shooting schedule extended beyond 100 days. When the production team didn’t agree to her conditions, she was replaced by rising star Triptii Dimri, who earned acclaim for her role in Animal.

Tripti Dimri replaced Deepika Padukone in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit Featuring Prabhas.

The situation escalated when leaks about the film's storyline surfaced online, allegedly frustrating Vanga. Without naming Deepika directly, he posted a strongly worded note on X (formerly Twitter) expressing his discontent. “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, you’ve ‘disclosed’ the person that you are,” he wrote.

He further added, “Putting down a younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for? You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it. Aisa karo… Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe zara bhi farak nahi padta. #dirtyPRgames. I like this kahawat very much :-) ‘Khundak mein billi khamba noche!’”

Awaiting an Official Statement

As of now, Deepika Padukone’s team has not issued a formal response to Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s remarks or the growing speculation around the incident. Whether this controversy dies down or continues to unravel, only time will tell. For now, the actress seems to be choosing silence and subtlety over confrontation, and letting her calm exterior do the talking.

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