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Deepika Padukone has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately. First, the actress walked out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, and about two months later, she officially exited the sequel of Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD, despite playing a significant role in the first part of the film. Both times, Deepika remained silent—until she announced her next big project, King, alongside Shah Rukh Khan. In a cryptic post, she wrote about how “the people you make it with, matter far more than its success,” sparking fresh speculation about her recent professional decisions.
Now, ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, Deepika has travelled to Madhya Pradesh to mark 10 years of her foundation, Live Love Laugh, which she launched to spread awareness and support for mental health across India.
As part of the celebrations, the actress indirectly addressed the controversies surrounding her exit from big projects. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Deepika said, “I have done this at many levels; this is not new to me. Even when it comes to pay, I have had to deal with whatever comes with it… I don’t even know what to call it. But I am someone who has always fought my battles silently, and for some strange reason, sometimes they become public—which is not the way I know and not the way I’ve been brought up. To fight my battles silently and in a dignified way is the way I know.”
Previously, while announcing King, Deepika Padukone had written on Instagram, “The very first lesson he taught me almost 18 years ago while filming Om Shanti Om was that the experience of making a movie—and the people you make it with—matter far more than its success. I couldn’t agree more and have applied that learning to every decision I’ve made since. And that’s probably why we’re back making our 6th movie together?”
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The post came just a day after news of her departure from the sequel of Kalki 2898 AD, leading many to interpret it as a veiled response to reports claiming that the producers decided to part ways after she allegedly demanded a pay hike, five-star accommodation, and food reimbursements for her 25-member team.
Confirming her exit, Vyjayanthi Movies, the production house behind Kalki 2898 AD, stated: “This is to officially announce that @deepikapadukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel of #Kalki2898AD. 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. And a film like @Kalki2898AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future works.”
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Earlier, Spirit director Sandeep Reddy Vanga had accused Deepika Padukone of leaking parts of his film’s plot, while other reports suggested she refused to say her dialogues in Telugu and insisted on an eight-hour shooting limit—conditions the filmmakers reportedly could not agree to.
