The controversy surrounding Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from the much-awaited film ‘Spirit’, starring Prabhas and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, continues to intensify. The dispute initially centred on reports of an eight-hour shooting-shift condition, but fresh claims by producer Pranay Reddy Vanga have now added another dimension to the controversy.

Pranay has claimed that Deepika sought a 10 per cent share of the film’s profits. According to him, the team began exploring other options after the two sides failed to reach an agreement over the financial terms. He also alleged that discussions with Deepika had continued for more than a year and that confidential information related to the project was subsequently leaked.

The claims have triggered a heated debate on social media. While some users questioned the reported demands attributed to Deepika, others argued that male actors are routinely allowed to negotiate their fees and profit-sharing arrangements and questioned why female actors should face criticism for seeking similar terms.

Amid the debate, a journalist’s social media post describing the controversy as a “male ego crisis” went viral. The post questioned the mindset of the Vanga brothers and criticised the backlash surrounding the actress’s reported demands.

Notably, Deepika liked the viral post. It suggested that the reaction to the controversy made it appear as though the actress had demanded the entire film or the producer’s property, while arguing that a woman asserting her professional terms was being portrayed as a threat to male ego.

Deepika has not issued a direct public statement on the controversy. However, her decision to like the post has been widely interpreted as an indirect expression of her stance on the issue.

With the controversy continuing to generate discussion, attention is now focused on the filmmakers’ next response and how the developments may affect the much-anticipated project.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar