Rashmika Mandanna reacts to flexible shift debate after Deepika Padukone-Sandeep Reddy Vanga row over Spirit

The actress highlighted the importance of team-level discussions amid industry’s growing focus on actor work hours.

July 7, 2025 - 10:40 AM IST

Rashmika Mandanna has addressed the ongoing debate about specific shifts and flexible working hours for female actors, a topic that has gained momentum following reports of a fallout between Deepika Padukone and director Sandeep Reddy Vanga over the upcoming film Spirit.

Rashmika Mandanna reacts to flexible shift debate after Deepika Padukone-Sandeep Reddy Vanga row over Spirit

In a candid conversation with Mojo Story, Rashmika Mandanna weighed in on the subject, emphasizing that work timings should remain a matter of internal discussion within teams. Sharing her personal perspective on the challenging schedules actors face, Rashmika said,
"Today the whole country is debating about flexible hours, but that is for discussion amongst the teams and figuring out what works for them. It’s their personal choices."

She further shed light on the reality of film shoots, highlighting the extreme working hours that are sometimes expected in the industry. "Some films you can start 9 am to 9 pm, but they carry on till the next day, so you’re working like 36 hours. There are much worse scenarios happening where you are working 2-3 days without going home," she added.

What Sparked the Flexible Hours Debate?

The conversation around workplace flexibility for actresses gained national attention after reports surfaced that Deepika Padukone had exited Spirit due to scheduling conflicts. Deepika was initially expected to star alongside Prabhas in the much-anticipated action drama directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, marking her first collaboration with the Animal director and a reunion with her Kalki co-star.

However, according to industry reports, Deepika had stipulated specific working hours in her contract, likely due to her recent transition into motherhood. These conditions reportedly did not align with the demanding shoot calendar that Spirit required, especially considering its action-heavy sequences. Reports suggested that Vanga and his team felt the proposed conditions would not be feasible for the film's tight schedule, eventually leading to Deepika stepping away from the project.

Following her exit, the makers later announced Triptii Dimri, who starred in Vanga’s blockbuster Animal alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna, as the new female lead in Spirit.

For the unversed, Rashmika played the role of Gitanjali, Ranbir Kapoor’s wife in Animal, a performance that earned her widespread acclaim. As the industry continues to evolve, Rashmika’s comments highlight the need for balanced conversations around actors’ well-being and production demands.

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