MUMBAI — Actor Adivi Sesh has shared his perspective on the recent controversy involving Deepika Padukone and director Sandeep Reddy Vanga over the film Spirit. The debate began several months ago when Padukone reportedly exited the film, with media reports suggesting her departure was due to a request for an eight-hour workday, a condition that Vanga was allegedly unwilling to meet. The incident sparked a wider conversation in the film industry about work-life balance, particularly for new mothers.
Speaking to Pinkvilla, Adivi Sesh avoided taking a direct side in the controversy but emphasized that filmmaking is not a “9-to-5 job.” He said, “What is agreed upon between a filmmaker and his actors is the only thing that matters. There is no rule per se. Because a film is made in 12 hours, 18 hours, 6 hours, it is their wish. It is being oversimplified if you are saying that work needs to be 8-6 hours. This is not a 9-to-5 job.”
When asked about the context of Padukone’s demand as a new mother, Sesh maintained his position. He said that while the reason for the demand is understandable, any work terms must be agreed upon beforehand to avoid practical issues. “Practically, it will not work if they have to shoot. If 20 more days get added to the schedule and the budget is not there, how do they accommodate it? I think whatever it should be, it should be agreed upon beforehand. Motherhood or otherwise,” he explained.
Background of the Controversy
The debate began after reports surfaced that Deepika Padukone, who recently became a mother, had reportedly set conditions for her role in Vanga’s film Spirit, which also stars Prabhas. Her demands reportedly included a fixed eight-hour workday and a share of the film’s profits. The reports of her exit from the project and subsequent replacement by actress Triptii Dimri led to a social media firestorm.
While Padukone has not publicly commented on the matter, her fans and several industry figures, including Vikrant Massey, Rashmika Mandanna, Sonakshi Sinha, Neha Dhupia, and Anurag Basu, came out in support of her.
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma also weighed in on the issue in an earlier interview with the Hindustan Times, stating that the controversy was “exaggerated.” He said that while actors and directors have the right to set their terms, neither party can force the other to agree. He pointed out that filmmaking’s unpredictable nature makes fixed work hours impractical, as shoots are dependent on various factors like lighting, location, and the availability of other actors.
Adivi Sesh’s Upcoming Projects
Meanwhile, Adivi Sesh is preparing for his upcoming pan-India releases. He is set to star in Dacoit, a genre-bending action-thriller with Mrunal Thakur, which is slated for a grand Christmas 2025 release. Following this, he will reprise his role in G2 – Godachari 2, the highly anticipated sequel to his cult espionage hit Goodachari. The film, which also stars Wamiqa Gabbi, is scheduled to hit theaters on May 1, 2026.