Deepika Padukone makes first public appearance amidst Spirit controversy: ‘Wanting to collaborate with people I am gonna have good time working with’

Amidst controversy surrounding her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, Deepika Padukone made her first public appearance on Tuesday evening and spoke about how she handles difficult situations and how she “stands by her decisions.”

The actor attended an event in Stockholm hosted by luxury jewellery brand Cartier. In a behind-the-scenes chat with Harper’s Bazaar when asked how she balances her work with her personal life, the actor replied, “I just listen to my gut, what feels right. I think it’s easier said and done.”

She added, “But, when you shut out the noise around you, and you listen to just your gut, I think the answers are always there. Wanting to collaborate with people that I know I am gonna have good time working with. Being surrounded by family and friends and being authentic is how I think am able to find my balance.”

Many on social media believed that the comments were a veiled reply to director Sandeep, who recently took to Twitter and took an indirect dig at Deepika for her “unprofessionalism” and accused her of “putting down a younger actor”, “ousting his story” and “playing dirty PR games.”

It was recently reported that Deepika has opted out of Spirit over disagreements about remuneration and working hours. The film’s makers then announced that Triptii Dimri, who has worked previously with Sandeep in Animal (2023), has joined the film’s cast.