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Ram Gopal Varma on Deepika-Sandeep Vanga Spirit Row: A Storm in a Teacup?
Updated on: 14 July, 2025 03:55 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
RGV and Deepika Padukone
The entertainment industry was recently abuzz with reports of Deepika Padukone`s alleged departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga`s upcoming film "Spirit." The rumoured reason? Her demand for an 8-hour workday sparked a fiery debate about work-life balance for actors. Now, the outspoken filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, fondly known as RGV, has weighed in, asserting that the entire issue has been "blown out of proportion."
While no official statement has been released from either Deepika or the makers, this alleged development fuelled a broader discussion: should actors dictate their work schedules, or is flexibility a non-negotiable part of the demanding film business?
Jumping into the conversation, Ram Gopal Varma shared his perspective in a recent interview. According to RGV, the entire situation has been overly dramatised. "When it comes to having fixed shift timings for actors, I really think that it is an agreement between two people. Each of them has a right to say what they want, and the other one has a right to refuse," he stated.
Also Read: Is Deepika Padukone Likely to Exit Kalki 2 As Well Due to Work Hours Demand?
RGV elaborated, "The whole thing (between Deepika and Sandeep) was a very exaggerated thing in my opinion. Because I can say, I want to work for 23 hours, and the actor can say, I want to work only for one hour. That`s their call. But how can one human being force another human being to do something? And they can agree to work or not work with each other… But that thing was just kind of blown up in the media."
He further added that fixed shift hours are impractical in filmmaking due to unpredictable factors like lighting, co-actor availability, and location access.
Deepika`s Reported Exit Ignites Debate
The controversy began when unconfirmed reports circulated that Deepika Padukone, slated to star opposite Prabhas in Spirit, had walked out of the project. The speculation suggested that her insistence on specific working hours and other conditions, including a share in profits and a refusal to deliver dialogues in Telugu, did not align with the film`s production demands.While no official statement has been released from either Deepika or the makers, this alleged development fuelled a broader discussion: should actors dictate their work schedules, or is flexibility a non-negotiable part of the demanding film business?
Jumping into the conversation, Ram Gopal Varma shared his perspective in a recent interview. According to RGV, the entire situation has been overly dramatised. "When it comes to having fixed shift timings for actors, I really think that it is an agreement between two people. Each of them has a right to say what they want, and the other one has a right to refuse," he stated.
Also Read: Is Deepika Padukone Likely to Exit Kalki 2 As Well Due to Work Hours Demand?
RGV elaborated, "The whole thing (between Deepika and Sandeep) was a very exaggerated thing in my opinion. Because I can say, I want to work for 23 hours, and the actor can say, I want to work only for one hour. That`s their call. But how can one human being force another human being to do something? And they can agree to work or not work with each other… But that thing was just kind of blown up in the media."
He further added that fixed shift hours are impractical in filmmaking due to unpredictable factors like lighting, co-actor availability, and location access.
Spirit Moves Forward
Despite the recent stir, Spirit is progressing, now featuring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for blockbusters like "Kabir Singh" and "Animal," the film is highly anticipated and aims for a 2027 release. Vanga is also expected to begin writing "Animal Park," the sequel to his last hit, after Spirit.ADVERTISEMENT
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