The recent buzz surrounding Deepika Padukone's departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's upcoming film, "Spirit," has ignited a fiery debate about gender pay disparity, working conditions, and creative control in Bollywood. While neither party has officially commented on the matter, reports suggest a clash of expectations led to Padukone's exit, with Triptii Dimri stepping in as her replacement. This situation has brought the industry's deep-seated issues to the forefront, sparking discussions about fairness and the value of female actors.
Reports indicate that Padukone demanded a ₹20 crore fee, a share of the film's profits, an 8-hour workday, and additional payment for shoots exceeding 100 days. Vanga, known for his commercially successful yet controversial films like "Arjun Reddy" and "Animal", allegedly deemed these demands "unprofessional". Shortly after, Vanga made a cryptic post on X, accusing an unnamed actress of "dirty PR games," leaking the story, and undermining a younger co-star, leading many to believe he was referring to Padukone.
This controversy has ignited a wider conversation about the gender pay gap in Bollywood. While Padukone's alleged ₹20 crore fee would have been a landmark achievement for a female actor, it also highlights the existing disparity when compared to the fees commanded by top male actors like Prabhas, who reportedly earns ₹100 crore per film. Some critics pointed out the double standards, noting that male actors rarely face the same scrutiny for their high fees.
Bhumi Pednekar, has been vocal about the existing pay gap. She revealed that she was once offered only 5% of her male counterpart's fee, despite having a similar track record. She emphasized that this issue extends beyond the film industry, affecting women in leadership roles across various sectors.
The debate extends beyond remuneration to include working conditions and creative control. Padukone's reported demand for an 8-hour workday has sparked discussions about the demanding schedules often expected of actors. Tamannaah Bhatia subtly showed her support for Deepika by liking an Instagram reel highlighting issues women often face, including gender pay gaps, excessive work hours, unprofessional behavior, and misogyny. This controversy has reignited the discussion about actors advocating for standard working hours.
The details of "Spirit's" plot have also become a point of contention. Following Padukone's departure, reports surfaced describing the film as an "A-rated" movie with bold scenes featuring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri. Vanga's reaction to these reports, accusing Padukone of leaking the story and questioning her feminism, has further fueled the controversy.
Whether Deepika Padukone's exit from "Spirit" will be a catalyst for change remains to be seen. However, it has undoubtedly amplified the voices of those calling for gender equality, fair working conditions, and mutual respect in the film industry. As more actresses speak out and challenge the status quo, there is hope that the industry can move towards a more equitable and inclusive future, closing the yawning maw of the gender pay gap.
