It has been over a month since reports surfaced about Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ambitious cop-thriller Spirit, yet the conversation continues to make headlines. The actress’s departure, reportedly due to a fallout over compensation and her preference for an 8-hour workday following the birth of her child, sparked industry-wide debate. Prominent filmmakers, including Mani Ratnam and Ajay Devgn have since voiced support for her. Now, director Mohit Suri has also shared his perspective.
Mohit Suri REACTS to Deepika Padukone’s exit from Spirit over 8-hour shift demand: “No one’s sadistic enough to torture anyone”
While promoting his upcoming film Saiyaara, Mohit spoke to NDTV about the controversy. He said, “Well, to each their own. I think it depends on the kind of budget you’re working with. I don’t think any director wants to make anyone work beyond what’s required. No one’s sadistic enough to unnecessarily torture someone.”
The Aashiqui 2 director added, “You have a choice to be a part of something or not. But what I think is unfair is when someone comes in and starts dictating terms after signing on. You knew what the project entailed—the constraints, the realities.”
For context, the controversy began in May when it was reported that Deepika had opted out of the Prabhas-led Spirit after disagreements with Sandeep Reddy Vanga. According to a Bollywood Hungama source, “Sandeep Reddy Vanga got the shock of his life when Deepika Padukone refused to shoot for more than 6 hours a day. That’s not all—the actress, via her agency, also began demanding amendments to the contract. Their main concern was that if the shoot extended beyond 100 days, she would need to be compensated for every extra day beyond what was initially agreed upon.”
Shortly after Deepika’s departure, Pinkvilla reported that Spirit would be an “A-rated” cop thriller starring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri. Triptii, who previously worked with Sandeep in Animal, replaced Deepika in the lead role.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga appeared to address the situation indirectly through a cryptic social media post. Without naming Deepika, he wrote: “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) between us. 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? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work into my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it.”
When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA(Non Disclosure Agreement) between us. 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 ? As a…— Sandeep Reddy Vanga (@imvangasandeep) May 26, 2025
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Mohit Suri recalls being told a film like Saiyaara wouldn’t work, credits his instincts for casting “non-profitable” stars in the past; says, “Studios look for stars, but this film was written for 24–25-year-olds”
More Pages: Spirit Box Office Collection
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