Actor Deepika Padukone has been a major talking point in Bollywood recently, primarily for her high-profile exit from two massive film projects: Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD. These departures, reportedly linked to her requests for an 8-hour workday and demands for higher compensation, have sparked a massive conversation about work-life balance and changing expectations for female stars in the film industry. Now, the new mom seems to have addressed the controversy head-on, stating she has always been determined to ask questions, challenge norms, and redefine the expectations placed on women.
Deepika’s comments came in reaction to her featuring prominently in the recently released IMDb report, 25 Years of Indian Cinema (2000-2025). The comprehensive report analyzed the top five most popular Indian movies released each year over the past quarter century. Out of the 130 movies scrutinized, 10 feature Deepika Padukone, placing her in the highly coveted 4th spot among actors with The Most Popular Titles.
Reacting to her inclusion in the prestigious list, Deepika spoke about the pressure on women in the industry, stressing her determination to challenge the status quo. “When I began my journey, I was often told how a woman must or is expected to navigate her career in order to be successful,” Deepika said. “However, from the very beginning, I was never afraid to ask questions, ruffle feathers, walk a more difficult path and challenge the status quo in order to reshape the mould we have all been expected to fit into.”
The star continued, linking her success to her authenticity and resilience: “The faith my family, fans and collaborators have had in me, have also empowered me to make the choices and decisions that I have, hopefully forever altering the path those after me will tread. IMDb’s Report on 25 Years of Indian Cinema further validates and strengthens my belief that honesty, authenticity and resilience matter, and that by being true to your core beliefs with consistency, change is possible.” Her statements are a clear validation of her recent decisions, framing them as deliberate attempts to advocate for herself and potentially set new professional standards.
IMDb Ranking and Ongoing Project Turmoil
The IMDb report positioned Deepika Padukone above numerous contemporaries and senior actors, including Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir Kapoor, Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Anushka Sharma, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Ajay Devgn, Prabhas, and Alia Bhatt. Shah Rukh Khan took the top spot with 20 titles, followed by Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan with 11 titles each.
Deepika Padukone Statement and tge Context
The context for Deepika’s strong statement is the turmoil surrounding her film commitments. Earlier this month, Vyjayanthi Movies announced her exit from the Kalki 2898 AD sequel, stating: “A film like Kalki 2898 AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future works.” Sources close to the production later told NDTV that the demands were extensive, including a 25% increase in her acting fee and a strict limit of a 7-hour daily shooting schedule. Other demands included 5-star stays for her 25-person crew.
Earlier this year, similar reports surfaced regarding her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, which stars Prabhas. She reportedly demanded an 8-hour workday, a share in the film’s profits, and requested not to deliver her dialogues in Telugu, conditions that allegedly led to her stepping away.
The chatter intensified when Vanga posted a scathing, though indirect, note on X, seemingly criticizing Deepika for ‘ousting’ the script of his next film. He wrote, “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith… But by doing this, you’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are…. Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for?”
Despite the recent controversy, Deepika’s career trajectory remains strong. She recently announced her collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan yet again in his upcoming film, King, which is also set to feature Suhana Khan. Her ability to secure top projects while simultaneously pushing for better working conditions underscores her unique position of power in the industry.