Deepika Padukone’s Exit Raises Questions About Gender Bias in the Industry
Tripti Dimri Joins Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Film Spirit latest news: Actress Tripti Dimri, who rose to fame with films like Laila Majnu and more recently, Animal, has officially joined Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s much-anticipated pan-India film Spirit. She will star opposite Prabhas in the film.
Confirming the news on her Instagram handle, Tripti wrote, “Still sinking in…. So grateful to be trusted with this journey. Thank you @sandeepreddy.vanga… honoured to be a part of your vision.”
Tripti Dimri's inclusion comes in the wake of Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from the project.
Background: Deepika Padukone’s Exit Raises Questions About Gender Bias in the Industry
Deepika Padukone was originally expected to play the female lead in Spirit. However, she reportedly exited the project after the makers and the actress failed to reach a consensus on certain terms. Some reports claimed she made “unreasonable demands,” including an 8-hour workday with 6 hours of actual shoot time, a remuneration of rupees 20 crore—the highest ever quoted by an Indian actress—and a share in the film’s profits.
Additionally, she was reportedly unwilling to speak Telugu for the role due to her unfamiliarity with the language. According to Money Control, her pregnancy had already delayed the shooting schedule, initially planned for late 2024, and she ultimately opted out, citing scheduling conflicts.
However, a report by Times Entertainment challenges the narrative that her demands were excessive. It draws comparisons with top male actors who routinely make similar demands — including remuneration, profit shares, and creative control. The report argues that Deepika’s requests were not unprofessional but reflective of a larger gender bias in the film industry.
It also pointed out that dubbing in pan-India films is common, noting that even Prabhas’ Hindi voice is often dubbed by actor Sharad Kelkar, as seen in Baahubali and other films.
Deepika, in a past interview with NDTV, had said, “I know my worth… I don’t think I would be able to live with the thought that I am part of a film, had the same creative contribution, or brought the same value, but was being underpaid… I was not okay with that.”
As one of the most bankable actresses in the country, with blockbusters like Padmaavat, Pathaan, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, and Fighter under her belt, Deepika Padukone's departure from Spirit has sparked an important conversation on fair pay and professionalism in the industry.
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