Deepika Padukone would never work with ‘misogynist’ Sandeep Reddy Vanga; she never considered Spirit movie: Insider

Deepika Padukone would never work with ‘misogynist’ Sandeep Reddy Vanga; she never considered Spirit movie: Insider | Mint

Deepika Padukone would never work with ‘misogynist’ Sandeep Reddy Vanga; she never considered Spirit movie: Insider

Deepika Padukone reportedly declined Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Spirit after a brief meeting where he arrived late and shared only a one-liner, according to an insider.

Ained Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit. The insider told the Hindustan Times that the actress had met the director only once

Theting. Deepika reportedly conducted herself professionally throughout the entire encounter. She only received a brief one-liner about the film’s premise

Deepika never received a complete narration of the film, therate with Vanga

“Deepika Padukone has met Sandeep Reddy Vanga all of once in her life. Not to mention, the filmmaker arrived a whole hour late to the meeting! Deepika took the rest of the meeting professionally,” the

Also Read|‘Is this feminism?’ Sandeep Reddy launches attack; fans assume it’s Deepika

“In the meeting, only a one-liner of the film was shared. She didn’t receive a full narration of the film. Deepika never commits to a project without receiving a full narration. So, Spirit was never a part of Deepika’s consideration set to begin with,” the

“Sandeep Reddy Vanga is the kind of filmmaker Deepika Padukone would never collaborate with, given his misogynist nature: one that is greatly evident not only in his off-screen persona but in his movies too,” the insider told HT.

This controversy coincides with Deepika’s husband, Ranveer Singh, getting involved in another dispute. Ranveer, riding on Dhurandhar’s success, reportedly left Farhan Akhtar’s Don 3. Excel Entertainment now demands ₹45 crore in damages.

Spirit movie controversy

Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from Spirit dates back to April 2025. The actor’s ‘departure’ sparked considerable controversy across the film industry. She reportedly requested a fixed eight-hour workday as a new mother.

The makers apparently didn’t accommodate this particular request during discussions. During the same period, Kalki 2898 AD’s makers also confirmed her exit from the sequel.

Triptii Dimri was then reported to have replaced Deepika. She earlier worked with Ranbir Kapoor in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal.

At the same time, some speculated that Deepika decided not to be a part of the film as she was uncomfortable with intimate scenes.

Also Read|India’s highest paid director, charging ₹200 crore for a film, not Karan Johar

Vanga subsequently posted an angry message on social media, seemingly directed towards Deepika. He accused her of breaching an unspoken trust between director and actor.

“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…. Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for?” he wrote during the controversy.

This controversy has recently resurfaced after comments from Vanga’s brother, Pranay. He claimed that Deepika’s exit was partly due to demands for profit-sharing.

Also Read|Sandeep Reddy Vanga backs Dhurandhar 2, warns Ranveer Singh of ‘evil eye’

“The reason is the same as what was already mentioned. One was remuneration, the second was timing. Apart from that, there are some other reasons, too. Soon after, everything went overboard,” he told NTV Telugu.

“See, she can ask for anything. If we are willing to give, we can give. But the economics should also work out for us. We thought that it was not working. This is why we thought of other options. Once we started looking for other options, they started leaking everything,” he added.

About the Author

Sounak Mukhopadhyay covers trending news, sports and entertainment for LiveMint. His reporting focuses on fast-moving stories, box office performance, digital culture and major cricket developments. He combines real-time updates with clear context for everyday readers. <br><br> Sounak brings newsroom experience across breaking news, explainers and long-form features. He has a strong emphasis on accuracy, verification and responsible storytelling. His work tracks audience behaviour, celebrity influence and the business of sport and cinema. He helps readers understand why a story matters beyond the headline. <br><br> Sounak has contributed to widely read digital publications. He continues to build a body of journalism shaped by consistency, speed and editorial clarity. He is particularly interested in the intersection of media, popular culture and public conversation in contemporary India. <br><br> At LiveMint, he writes daily coverage as well as analytical pieces that interpret numbers, trends and cultural moments in accessible language. His approach prioritises factual depth, balanced framing and reader trust. The reporting aligns with modern newsroom standards of transparency and credibility. <br><br> Outside daily reporting, he explores storytelling across formats including podcasts, filmmaking and narrative non-fiction. Through his journalism, Sounak aims to document the rhythms of modern entertainment and sports while maintaining rigorous editorial integrity. <br><br> Sounak continues to develop audience-focused journalism that connects speed with substance in a rapidly-changing information environment. His work seeks clarity, trust and lasting public value in every story he reports.

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