OPINION: Was Deepika Padukone justified in demanding Rs 40 crore for Prabhas’ Spirit, and how it could’ve been resolved?

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Lately, Deepika Padukone has been in the news for parting ways with the movie Spirit, which stars Prabhas and is helmed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. It’s reported that she chose to leave the project due to a pay disparity; sources suggest that she asked for an income of 40 crore rupees, whereas the producers and director were only prepared to offer 20 crore.

Beyond what’s been implied, it’s said that Deepika may have asked for a structured shooting plan. During these discussions, it seems the producers wanted her to learn Telugu for the movie, but she chose not to. Was it wise for the actress to step back, or could a more favorable arrangement have been struck?

Deepika Padukone walks out of Spirit

The movie titled “Spirit,” featuring Prabhas as its main character, has been a project in progress for quite a while now and is still causing a stir. It’s been announced that Prabhas will take on the role of a passionate, enraged young police officer, but the identities of the rest of the cast are being kept secret.

As time went by, various actors were rumored to be involved with this project, including Bollywood celebrities like Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone, who were mentioned the most. However, reportedly, all three backed out of the film due to unsuccessful contract discussions, even though it was highly anticipated in the South Indian film industry.

Reports indicate that Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan were offered roles in the movie Spirit. But the producers allegedly refused their proposed pay, causing the Bollywood duo to turn down the opportunity to work on the project.

Thrilled beyond words, I couldn’t believe my luck when I heard the news – our favorite star, Deepika Padukone, had signed on for the female lead! This is their second collaboration after Kalki 2898 AD, and I can hardly contain my excitement. The way her eyes lit up when she heard the narration of this project spoke volumes about how much she valued her character’s role in this story. Her decision to join the cast was not one made lightly; it was an informed choice based on the importance and significance of this part, which makes me even more eager to see their magic unfold on screen together!

Yet, not long after Deepika Padukone joined the project, it was said that she chose to leave Spirit because her requests weren’t fulfilled. The actress had asked for a payment of approximately 400 million rupees, but the producers and director Sandeep Reddy Vanga were only prepared to offer 200 million rupees instead.

Moreover, as a fresh mom, Deepika asked for a well-organized filming timetable to accommodate her baby-tending duties. Regrettably, there was no common ground reached between the producers and Deepika regarding this issue; the specifics have yet to be shared publicly.

In my professional opinion, it’s worth noting that director Sandeep Reddy Vanga had considered having Deepika Padukone voice her own character and master Telugu for the role she was considering. However, rumors indicate that Madam Padukone showed little interest in this proposal, which may have played a part in the eventual impasse during negotiations.

Given these elements that led to her departure, it’s intriguing to speculate if the creators could have negotiated a more favorable agreement and reached a compromise to keep the actress involved in this eagerly awaited production?

Could the makers of Spirit have worked out a better deal?

Although the negotiators for Spirit achieved considerable progress, it’s reasonable to think that the situation might have been navigated more effectively, don’t you agree?

In light of possible negative publicity due to the aftermath, the producers may have thought about satisfying Deepika Padukone’s salary requests, given her significant influence in Indian cinema. As an actress, Deepika offers not just stardom but also credibility and a devoted fan base. Understanding the potential impact she could have had on the film, both creatively and financially, it might have been beneficial to find a solution that acknowledged her status and needs.

It’s completely understandable for an actress of her talent and recognition to ask for a significant salary reflecting her stardom, given her prominent position in the entertainment industry. As for her private life, it’s only appropriate to accommodate her with a suitable work schedule.

In a delicate scenario like this, I believe it would’ve been more advantageous to bypass intermediaries for seamless discussions. Moreover, if the creators had granted me ample time and resources to grasp Telugu, I could have mastered it sufficiently for both the shooting and dubbing phases.

Although specifics about the movie are currently under development, whispers indicate that the producers may be considering the rising starlet Rukmini Vasanth for the main female role alongside Prabhas. However, it’s important to note that no official announcements have been made as of now.

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2025-05-23 18:22