03 June,2025 10:06 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mani Ratnam, Deepika Padukone
Filmmaker Mani Ratnam has now weighed in on the discussion surrounding Deepika Padukone's exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's film Spirit, starring Prabhas. It was reported that she walked out of the film due to disagreements over the 8-hour work shift. According to sources, Deepika, who welcomed her baby last year, requested an 8-hour workday from the makers of Spirit. She also reportedly demanded â¹20 crore for the film, along with a profit-sharing clause.
Now, Mani Ratnam has spoken in support of Deepika while addressing the matter. "I think it is a rightful demand," Ratnam told the media. "I'm glad she's in a position to ask for it. I think as a filmmaker, you will take that into consideration when you cast. It is not an unreasonable thing to ask, but an absolute necessity. I think that should be the priority. You have to acknowledge that, understand it, and work around it," the filmmaker added.
According to reports, Deepika Padukone requested an 8-hour work shift while working on Spirit, a demand that sparked debate online. At the trailer launch of Maa - an upcoming horror film starring Kajol - actor Ajay Devgn appeared to support the idea, though he didn't name anyone directly.
When asked about his views on 8-hour work demands, Devgn said,
"It's not that it's not going down well with people. Most of the honest filmmakers will not have problems with it. Apart from this, being a mother and working for eight hours - most people have already started working eight- to nine-hour shifts."
Earlier, Deepika was expected to star opposite Prabhas in Spirit, a film backed by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures. However, she is reportedly no longer part of the project, which is directed by Animal filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
Just a couple of days ago, Vanga posted a fiery note on X (formerly Twitter). While he didn't name anyone, many believe his post was aimed at Deepika Padukone, who reportedly exited the project.
Posting on his timeline, Vanga 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..."
He continued, "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 behind my craft, and for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn't get it. You won't get it. You will never get it."
He ended his post with a pointed suggestion, "Aisa karo... Agli baar poori kahani bolna... kyunki mujhe zara bhi farak nahi padta." (Next time, tell the whole story... because it doesn't make any difference to me!) #DirtyPRGames."
