Lights! Camera! Misogyny! The Deepika-Sandeep Row is the Root of a Bigger Problem

It is a man’s world and the women are merely trying to breathe in it. That sounds overtly sexist, but unfortunately, it is a bleak reflection of reality—one that operates across such a wide and appalling spectrum that it feels unfathomable. For many, the idea of sexism or the systemic questioning of women for any bold choices they make typically plays out on the everyday level—for the millions of women juggling domestic responsibilities or carving careers with grit and sacrifice. But make no mistake, the rot runs deeper and far wider.

The latest display of this entrenched gender bias has come courtesy of the Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Deepika Padukone row. And just to be clear, this assessment is based on media reportage and public discourse because that is the only version accessible to most of us.

What Sparked the Flame

For those out of the loop, Padukone’s exit from Spirit triggered an industry-wide commotion. Her reported requests were branded as 'difficult' or unreasonable, prompting a social media eruption from Vanga, who accused her camp of deploying dirty PR tactics. This entire fiasco included several other factors as well which ranged from a reported 40 cr free to some reporting it to be 20 cr free and so on. The contradictory reports of these numbers itself was enough to highlight how the actual picture isn't clear for everyone here. Nevertheless, the saga went on for a couple of days and while Padukone's exit was almost indirectly sealed, it became a certainty with another official announcement. Triptii Dimri was announced as the replacement as she came in for a reported 4 cr fee and confirmed the same with a post, thus confirming reunion with filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga after Animal.

Since then, the situation has become a breeding ground for commentary and controversy. Celebrities have chimed in—some diplomatically, others quite pointedly.

At a recent event, Ajay Devgn and Kajol were asked for their thoughts. Devgn noted, “It is not that it is not going down well with people. A lot of people understand. Most of the honest filmmakers would not have a problem with it. Also, other than new moms working for 8 hours, most people have started working for 8 hours. I think it is person to person, and most of the industry understands.” Kajol added succinctly, “I loved the idea of working less.”

Saif Ali Khan, too, albeit without naming names, revealed his distaste for missing time with his children. To him, success lies in being able to leave work early to catch just 30 more minutes with his kids. He emphasized the importance of those few holidays in a year, calling them sacred, while humorously admitting that he is at an age where he has to keep in touch with both his mother and his children.

Voices That Stir the Debate

Radhika Apte joined the conversation more recently. When asked whether the industry is accommodating toward mothers, she was forthright: it is not. She admitted that she does not know how she will navigate that chapter in her life. According to her, actors barely get time with their children due to the brutally long hours. The work culture is incompatible with a balanced personal life.

For a woman to choose not to lean on help and instead be present for her child is a hard, conscious decision. Yet, she is expected to strike a perfect balance between work, home, and self-care with no room for complaints. That expectation is the real villain here.

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This entire discourse points to a larger issue that is more tangled than it appears. It reflects how society and, in this case, the film industry, continue to center women in uncomfortable, often judgmental ways. The idea that a successful woman might ask for something and not be immediately villainized for it is still alien. Male stars routinely make outrageous demands—some verging on absurd, and the industry either laughs it off, celebrates their eccentric genius, or justifies it by pointing to box office pull. But when Deepika Padukone, a woman who has earned her stature, asks for what seems to be basic working rights, she is accused of disruption.

The Hypocrisy is Loud, Not Silent

The conversation has pirouetted to comparisons with other celebrity mothers like Alia Bhatt and Kareena Kapoor Khan. Critics question why they seem unaffected by grueling shoot schedules, which is both simplistic and tone-deaf.

Every woman’s journey is different. The ability to stay with one’s child or step away from the chaos of set life is a deeply personal decision—one that depends not just on means but also on emotional bandwidth and personal priorities. For a woman to choose not to lean on help and instead be present for her child is a hard, conscious decision. Yet, she is expected to strike a perfect balance between work, home, and self-care with no room for complaints. That expectation is the real villain here.

The Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga saga is not the beginning, nor will it be the end. But it can, and should, be a loud, unapologetic checkpoint in our collective conscience—a reminder that equality is not about accommodation.

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What Happens If We Flip the Script?

Now imagine this. If a male actor had made the same requests, the narrative would be flooded with empathy. He would be seen as a grounded family man, a role model, even. That double standard is at the core of the problem. We are in 2025, and we are still debating the legitimacy of a woman’s right to negotiate her work terms. That, in itself, is an alarming sign of regression disguised as progress.

Padukone’s situation has become emblematic not because it is unique, but because of how loudly it has reverberated. And in that resonance lies the truth. We must normalize the idea that a female actor’s personal choices are valid and worthy of accommodation. Her desire for balance should not be seen as a threat to production timelines or artistic integrity. Films will get made, characters will come to life, and stories will be told—but only if the people telling them are at peace with themselves.

Change Is a Choice, Not a Whisper

Perhaps the most disheartening part of this entire episode is that none of these asks are revolutionary. Wanting a structured workday, a few days off, or a humane schedule is hardly utopian. Yet, when women ask for these things, especially powerful women - they are accused of overstepping. It is not just unjust. It is deeply revealing.

So before the next wave of self-righteous outrage floods our feeds, before another woman is gaslit into silence for wanting too much, maybe it is time to shift our focus. Instead of interrogating why she dared to ask, perhaps we need to ask: why not?

The onus lies not just on the industry but also on society at large. We must cultivate a culture that recognizes emotional labour, that understands caregiving is not gendered, and that success does not always wear a suit and tie, or in this case, high heels on a red carpet. Until then, we will continue spinning on this merry-go-round of hypocritical outrage.

The Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga saga is not the beginning, nor will it be the end. But it can, and should, be a loud, unapologetic checkpoint in our collective conscience—a reminder that equality is not about accommodation. It is about understanding. And from the looks of it, we have barely scratched the surface.

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