Bollywood icon Deepika Padukone revealed that she navigates tough situations by tuning into her “inner voice” and staying true to her beliefs.

Speaking to Vogue Arabia on the sidelines of a Cartier event in Stockholm, Sweden, Padukone shared, “What keeps me balanced is being truthful and authentic. In complicated or difficult situations, I listen to my inner voice and stand by decisions that bring me peace.”

Her remarks come amid speculation about her alleged exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit, a project backed by T-Series and Vanga’s Bhadrakali Pictures, starring Prabhas.

While no official confirmation ever linked Padukone to the film, reports last week claimed she stepped away due to creative differences. The makers recently announced Tripti Dimri as the leading lady.

The controversy escalated when Vanga posted a cryptic message on X, seemingly targeting an actor for “dirty PR games.” Without naming anyone, he wrote, “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There’s an unsaid NDA between us. But by doing this, you’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person you are... Putting down a younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for?”

He added, “As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work into my craft... You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it. Aisa karo.... Agli baar poori kahani bolna... kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha. #dirtyPRgames.”

Padukone’s poised response in the interview sidestepped the controversy, focusing instead on her approach to maintaining equilibrium. Her emphasis on authenticity and inner peace underscores her resilience in the face of industry speculation and public scrutiny.