Deepika Padukone has recently been in the spotlight for exiting Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, reportedly due to her request for an 8-hour workday, which sparked a wider conversation about work-life balance in the film industry. She also parted ways with Kalki 2898 AD, with the makers citing the project’s demand for a “higher level of commitment”.
In light of these discussions, Deepika has seemingly addressed the surrounding controversies. She stated that she has never shied away from asking questions, challenging conventions, and pushing boundaries to redefine expectations for women in the industry.
IMDb’s recent “25 Years of Indian Cinema (2000-2025)” report highlights the evolution of the Indian film industry over the last quarter-century. Analyzing the top five most popular Indian movies released each year between January 1, 2000, and August 31, 2025, the report places Deepika Padukone at the 4th spot among the most popular Indian actresses. Out of the 130 movies analyzed, 10 feature Deepika, underscoring her significant presence in Indian cinema.
Shah Rukh Khan leads the list with 20 titles, followed by Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan, who both have 11 titles. Deepika’s inclusion places her ahead of prominent actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Anushka Sharma, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ajay Devgn, Prabhas, and Alia Bhatt.
Reacting to her position in the report, Deepika emphasized how women are often advised on how to navigate their careers for success. She stressed her determination to challenge these preconceived notions.
“When I began my journey, I was often told how a woman must or is expected to navigate her career in order to be successful. However, from the very beginning, I was never afraid to ask questions, ruffle feathers, walk a more difficult path and challenge the status quo in order to reshape the mould we have all been expected to fit into,” Deepika shared.
The new mother added, “The faith my family, fans, and collaborators have had in me have also empowered me to make the choices and decisions that I have, hopefully forever altering the path those after me will tread. IMDb’s Report on 25 Years of Indian Cinema further validates and strengthens my belief that honesty, authenticity and resilience matter, and that by being true to your core beliefs with consistency, change is possible.”
Earlier this month, Vyjayanthi Movies announced Deepika’s exit from their film in a statement on X, saying, “This is to officially announce that @deepikapadukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel to Kalki 2898 AD. After careful consideration, we have decided to part ways. Despite the long journey of making the first film, we were unable to find a partnership. A film like Kalki 2898 AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future works.”
Following this, a source reportedly told NDTV that Deepika Padukone sought a 25% fee increase and limited her shooting schedule to 7 hours daily. Despite an offer of a luxury vanity van for rest periods in exchange for longer hours, she declined. Her demands also included 5-star accommodation for her 25-person crew, suggesting significant negotiating points.
Reports also surfaced earlier this year about her departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, with claims of her demanding an 8-hour workday, a profit share, and not delivering dialogues in Telugu, which reportedly did not align with the filmmaker’s vision. This speculation intensified when Vanga posted a critical note on X, seemingly addressing Deepika’s alleged decision to “oust” his story.
Meanwhile, Deepika is set to reunite with Shah Rukh Khan for his upcoming film, King, which will also feature Suhana Khan.
