Deepika Padukone, who has recently been featured in the top five of IMDb’s list of ‘Indian Cinema’s Most Prolific Headliners’ in the last 25 years, has seemingly taken a jibe at the makers of Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD, two films she exited, reportedly over her demand for an 8-hour work shift. In a gratitude note she stated that when she started out, she was often told how a woman “is expected to navigate her career” but from the beginning, she wasn’t afraid to “ruffle feathers".

While Shah Rukh Khan topped the list, Aamir Khan and Hrithik Roshan secured the second position, and Deepika Padukone ranked third. Deepika, however, ranked first in the 'Most Viewed Indian Stars of the Last Decade List in 2024', followed by Shah Rukh, Aishwarya, Alia Bhatt, Irrfan Khan and Aamir. 

“When I began my journey, I was often told how a woman must or is expected to navigate her career in order to be successful. However, from the very beginning, I was never afraid to ask questions, ruffle feathers, walk a more difficult path and challenge the status quo in order to reshape the mould we have all been expected to fit into,” she said.

Deepika also credited her fans and family for their constant support that has enabled her to take tough decisions. “The faith my family, fans and collaborators have had in me, have also empowered me to make the choices and decisions that I have, hopefully forever altering the path those after me will tread. IMDb’s Report on 25 Years of Indian Cinema further validates and strengthens my belief that honesty, authenticity and resilience matter, and that by being true to your core beliefs with consistency, change is possible,” she said.

Earlier this year, it was announced that Deepika has exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit allegedly over her demands of an 8-hour work week not being met. It was later announced that Triptii Dimri would be doing her role. Sandeep had also taken to X and accused Deepika of playing a “dirty PR game.” Recently, Kalki 2898 AD makers also declared that they were parting ways with Deepika as their project “deserves that commitment and much more.” Following which, Deepika shared a photo on Instagram holding Shah Rukh Khan’s hand. The caption read, “The very first lesson he taught me almost 18 years ago while filming Om Shanti Om was that the experience of making a movie, and the people you make it with, matter far more than its success. I couldn’t agree more and have applied that learning to every decision I’ve made since. And that’s probably why we’re back making our 6th movie together?”

Deepika will next be seen in SRK’s King, which also stars his daughter Suhana Khan.