The world of Bollywood is currently buzzing with a mix of controversies and developments surrounding two major film projects: Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit and the much-anticipated Hera Pheri 3. Recent news has seen Sandeep Reddy Vanga seemingly criticizing Deepika Padukone after her exit from Spirit, while Akshay Kumar has responded to the controversy surrounding Paresh Rawal's departure from Hera Pheri 3.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for directing Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh, and Animal, has stirred controversy with a cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter) that many interpret as a direct jab at Deepika Padukone. This comes after reports of Padukone's exit from his upcoming film, Spirit, starring Prabhas. While Vanga didn't explicitly name Padukone, his words hinted at disappointment and accused an unnamed actor of playing "dirty PR games."
Vanga's post read, "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?" He ended his statement with a Hindi remark and the hashtag #dirtyPRgames.
The timing of Vanga's outburst coincides with reports detailing Padukone's departure from Spirit. Sources suggest the exit was due to creative differences and contractual disagreements. One report claimed Padukone refused to work more than six hours a day, while another cited disagreements over "bold scenes" in the movie. It was also reported that Padukone's team requested additional payment if shooting exceeded 100 days, leading to an impasse.
Following Padukone's exit, Vanga quickly announced Triptii Dimri as the new female lead in Spirit. This casting decision and Vanga's subsequent social media activity have triggered mixed reactions. Some support Vanga, criticizing Padukone for allegedly leaking plot details and undermining Dimri's casting. Others accuse Vanga of launching a smear campaign against Padukone, suggesting his remarks stem from a bruised ego and questioning the gender dynamics at play. Some fans and critics are defending Padukone, noting that women in Indian cinema often face criticism for setting professional boundaries. Deepika Padukone has not yet responded to Vanga's comments.
Meanwhile, the Hera Pheri 3 project has been plagued by its own set of controversies, primarily surrounding Paresh Rawal's exit. Akshay Kumar, who is also producing the film, has taken a stand amidst the turmoil. Kumar's production house has reportedly filed a lawsuit against Rawal after his exit.
At the trailer launch of his upcoming film, Housefull 5, Akshay Kumar addressed the issue. He defended Rawal against negative comments, particularly those calling him "foolish" for leaving the franchise. Kumar emphasized his long-standing friendship and professional respect for Rawal, stating, "Using this kind of word for my co-star, like 'Foolish', I wouldn't appreciate. That's not right. I have worked with him for the last 32 years. We are very good friends. He's a great actor. I really admire him."
Kumar acknowledged the seriousness of the legal matter, stating it would be handled by the courts. He refrained from commenting further, noting that the issue is currently sub judice. The exit of Paresh Rawal has definitely upset fans, who were anticipating the return of the iconic trio.
Rawal himself has responded to the legal proceedings, stating that his lawyer has sent an appropriate response regarding his "rightful termination and exit." He expressed confidence that all issues would be resolved once his response is reviewed.
