She added, “What excites me is empowering other talent. My team and I are now focused on that—enabling storytelling and supporting other creative minds, writers, directors, and even new producers. That’s what feels meaningful to me now.”

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Deepika Padukoe, who has produced Chhapaak and 83 under KA Productions, explained her evolved approach to choosing work. “Anything that doesn’t feel true to me doesn’t cut it. Sometimes people offer a lot of money and think that’s enough, but it isn’t. And the reverse is also true—some things may not be commercially big, but I believe in the people or the message, and I’ll stand by it. Was I always this clear? Maybe not. But I’ve reached that clarity now. Do I sometimes look back and think, ‘What was I thinking?’ Of course. That’s part of learning. Maybe 10 years from now, I’ll question some of today’s choices. But right now, they feel honest.”

One of Bollywood’s highest-paid actresses, Deepika recently spoke about the unhealthy glorification of overworking. She told Harper’s Bazaar, “We have normalised overworking. We mistake burnout for commitment. Eight hours of work a day is enough for the human body and mind. Only when you’re healthy can you give your best. Bringing a burnt-out person back into the system helps no one.”

Earlier, Deepika Padukone had walked out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD. Reports claimed she demanded equal pay and an eight-hour work shift for Spirit, and her departure from Kalki was speculated to be for similar reasons.

She is currently working with Shah Rukh Khan on his film King.