Ajay Devgn Supports Deepika Padukone Amid Sandeep Reddy Vanga Feud Over Spirit
The ongoing controversy surrounding Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit has taken a new turn, with actor Ajay Devgn coming out in support of Padukone’s reported demand for an 8-hour work shift. The public feud between Padukone and Vanga has sparked heated debates on social media, with fans and critics divided over issues of professionalism, feminism, and workplace boundaries in the film industry.
Background of the Controversy
Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Telugu superstar Prabhas, was initially set to feature Deepika Padukone as the female lead, marking a reunion after their successful collaboration in Kalki 2898 AD. However, reports surfaced in May 2025 that Padukone had exited the project, with sources citing her demands as the reason. According to Bollywood Hungama, Padukone, a new mother to her daughter Dua, requested an 8-hour workday with 6 hours of shooting time, a ₹20 crore fee, profit-sharing, and additional compensation for shoots exceeding 100 days. She also reportedly refused to dub her lines in Telugu, which some sources claimed was a dealbreaker.
Following Padukone’s departure, Vanga announced Triptii Dimri as the new female lead, sparking further speculation. A Pinkvilla report suggested that Padukone’s exit was due to discomfort with “bold scenes” and “A-rated content” in the film, a claim that fueled controversy. Vanga took to X on May 26, 2025, posting a cryptic message accusing an unnamed actor—widely believed to be Padukone—of leaking plot details and undermining a younger actress (Dimri). He wrote, “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA between us. But by doing this, You’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are…. Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for?”
The post ignited a firestorm on social media, with some netizens accusing Padukone of unprofessionalism and “dirty PR games,” while others criticized Vanga for targeting her and questioning her feminism. Fans of Padukone defended her, arguing that her demands were reasonable for a new mother prioritizing work-life balance, especially given her advocacy for mental health through The Live Love Laugh Foundation.
Ajay Devgn’s Response
Amid the escalating row, Ajay Devgn, who recently worked with Padukone in Singham Again, addressed the controversy in a statement reported by Hindustan Times on May 29, 2025. Devgn supported Padukone’s demand for an 8-hour workday, stating that such a request is not uncommon in the industry. “People understand,” Devgn said, emphasizing that setting boundaries, particularly for working mothers, is a reasonable expectation in modern filmmaking. His comments were echoed by his wife, actress Kajol, who also expressed support for Padukone, highlighting the need for understanding and flexibility in the industry.
Devgn’s stance has been seen as a significant moment in the debate, shifting focus to the broader issue of workplace expectations for actors, especially women balancing professional and personal responsibilities. His comments resonate with sources close to Padukone, who told Hindustan Times that her demands were “in line with her stardom and status as a new mother” trying to balance time with her daughter, Dua, born in September 2024.
Deepika Padukone’s Silence and Philosophy
Padukone has chosen not to directly address the feud, maintaining her composure amid the social media storm. In a recent interview with Vogue Arabia at a Cartier event in Stockholm on May 27, 2025, she spoke about her approach to handling difficult situations. “What keeps me balanced is just being truthful, authentic. Whenever I’m faced with complicated or difficult situations, to be able to listen to my inner voice and just stand by decisions that really give me peace,” she said. Many interpreted this as a subtle response to the Spirit controversy, reinforcing her commitment to making choices that align with her values.
In a separate interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Padukone elaborated on her criteria for choosing collaborators, stating, “I just listen to my gut, to what feels right… Wanting to collaborate with people I know I’m going to have a good time working with.” This comment has been seen as a reflection of her decision to step away from Spirit, possibly due to creative or personal differences with Vanga.
Triptii Dimri and the Fallout
Triptii Dimri, who replaced Padukone in Spirit, has faced unintended backlash amid the controversy. Fans celebrated her casting, with some calling it “huge” given her rising popularity after Animal (2023), where she worked with Vanga. However, reports suggesting that Dimri agreed to “bold scenes” led to accusations of slut-shaming from fans, who argued that she was being unfairly portrayed as an “A-rated actress.” One fan wrote on X, “Does anyone else feel like Tripti is being slut shamed a LOT? It could be any article or comment about her, and somehow people would connect it to her being a ‘bold’ ‘A-rated’ actress.”
Dimri, for her part, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, posting on Instagram, “Still sinking in…. So grateful to be trusted with this journey. Thank you @sandeepreddy.vanga ..honoured to be a part of your vision.” Her fee for Spirit is reportedly ₹4 crore, significantly lower than Padukone’s alleged ₹20 crore demand, adding fuel to discussions about pay disparities and industry dynamics.
Industry and Fan Reactions
The controversy has divided opinions online. Some netizens praised Vanga for calling out what they perceive as Padukone’s “fake feminism,” with one user stating, “Finally, Deepika’s ugly PR game has met its match in Vanga.” Others criticized Vanga’s remarks as misogynistic, with one tweet reading, “So Vanga wanted an actress he could exploit and underpay??? Deepika Padukone you will always be THE superstar.” Critics also pointed to Vanga’s history of portraying toxic masculinity in films like Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh, and Animal, accusing him of hypocrisy in questioning Padukone’s feminism.
Supporters of Padukone, including actress Tamannaah Bhatia, subtly backed her by liking an Instagram reel addressing issues like gender pay gaps and misogyny, though Bhatia later claimed the “like” was accidental. The debate has also highlighted broader issues in Bollywood, with fans and critics questioning why female actors face scrutiny for setting professional boundaries while male actors and directors often do not.
Looking Ahead
Spirit, a cop action drama backed by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures, is currently in pre-production and slated to begin filming in 2025, with a tentative release in 2027. The film marks the first on-screen collaboration between Prabhas and Triptii Dimri and is expected to feature intense action and bold sequences, in line with Vanga’s signature style.
Meanwhile, Padukone is focusing on her upcoming projects, including King with Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan, directed by Siddharth Anand, and Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2, where she will reunite with Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan. Her decision to prioritize roles and collaborators that align with her values underscores her approach to navigating the industry as both a superstar and a new mother.
As the Spirit controversy continues to unfold, Ajay Devgn’s support for Padukone has brought attention to the importance of respecting personal and professional boundaries in Bollywood. Whether the feud between Padukone and Vanga will escalate further remains to be seen, but for now, the industry and its fans
are watching closely.