Deepika Padukone Reacts To Post Targeting Sandeep Reddy Vanga Amid 'Spirit' Dispute

Actor Deepika Padukone has appeared to show support for an Instagram post criticising filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga and his brother over the controversy surrounding her exit from the upcoming film Spirit. The development comes more than a year after Deepika reportedly left the project and follows renewed discussion about the reasons behind her departure. A social media post addressing the dispute received a “like” from Deepika, drawing fresh attention to the long-running controversy. The disagreement resurfaced this week after claims were made about why Deepika exited Spirit.

The film, directed by Vanga, had previously attracted considerable attention after reports emerged that Deepika was no longer associated with the project. The reasons surrounding her departure have remained a subject of speculation and public discussion, with different accounts emerging over time about creative and production-related differences. The latest controversy followed remarks attributed to Vanga’s brother, who reportedly claimed that the production had not agreed to Deepika’s demand for a 10 per cent share of the film’s profits. The claim added a new dimension to the discussion surrounding her exit, as earlier reports and commentary had focused on other alleged disagreements connected with the project.

Following those remarks, an Instagram post criticised the Vanga brothers and their statements about the actor’s departure. The post reportedly framed the controversy as an example of misogyny and argued that a woman’s refusal had been treated negatively. Deepika’s apparent decision to “like” the post was interpreted by social media users as an indication of support for its message, although the actor has not issued a separate public statement confirming her position on the matter. Deepika’s exit from Spirit has remained a topic of interest among film audiences because the project had generated substantial attention before production. The film is being directed by Vanga, who has previously helmed films including Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh and Animal. 

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His work has frequently generated debate over its portrayal of relationships, masculinity and gender dynamics, making the renewed discussion around the Spirit controversy particularly significant. The reported 10 per cent profit-share demand is now one of the claims being discussed in connection with Deepika’s departure. However, the available reports do not establish that this was definitively the sole reason for her exit. The dispute involves statements and counterclaims surrounding a project that has not yet been released, and the actor herself has not publicly provided a detailed account confirming the circumstances described in the latest reports. Deepika’s apparent engagement with the Instagram post has nevertheless brought the issue back into the spotlight.

Social media users have debated the comments attributed to Vanga’s brother and the broader circumstances surrounding the actor’s departure from the film. Her “like” has been viewed by some as a response to the criticism, while others have pointed out that it does not amount to a detailed public explanation of her position. The controversy is likely to continue attracting attention as discussions surrounding Spirit and Deepika’s exit persist. For now, the latest development centres on her apparent support for a social media post criticising the Vanga brothers, rather than a new formal statement from the actor. The competing accounts over her departure remain part of an ongoing public dispute, with no independently established explanation confirming all of the claims surrounding the actor’s exit.

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