Deepika Padukone found herself at the center of a storm following her departure from the highly anticipated sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin. Vyjayanthi Movies announced via an X post that they had parted ways with the actress due to “commitment” issues, with sources citing disagreements over work hours, a fee hike, and entourage costs as the reasons for the split. These same issues had previously led to her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit in May 2025.

Adding fuel to the controversy, an old interview from May 7, 2025, published in Marie Claire, resurfaced, where Deepika recounted a director’s pointed remark about her prioritizing motherhood. “He turned around and said, ‘Oh, looks like she's taking motherhood very seriously,’” Deepika shared, expressing confusion over whether the comment was a compliment or a jab. She added, “What does that mean, taking motherhood seriously? Yeah!”

Deepika, who welcomed her first child in 2024, also spoke candidly about balancing her professional and personal life, admitting to feelings of guilt when away from her newborn. “I do have to tell myself that your life doesn't end the minute you have a child… but every moment where I'm not able to be with her, there is guilt,” she told the publication.

The controversy escalated when Sandeep Reddy Vanga posted on X on May 26, 2025, seemingly addressing Deepika indirectly. Without naming her, Vanga criticized an actor for allegedly breaching an “unsaid NDA” by disclosing details of a story narration. “You’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are.... Putting down a younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for?” he wrote, adding, “As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn't get it. You won't get it.” Though neither party named the other, the timeline and context led online audiences to speculate that Deepika’s Marie Claire comments referred to Vanga.

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Following Deepika’s exit from Spirit, Vanga cast Animal actress Triptii Dimri opposite Prabhas in the film. The online discourse surrounding these events has reignited debates about Deepika’s career choices, her advocacy for work-life balance as a new mother, and the tensions between personal priorities and professional commitments in the film industry.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone Exits Kalki 2898 AD Sequel Film