Mumbai: Deepika Padukone has entered a new phase in her career. While she has been part of some of the biggest blockbusters in Indian cinema, the actress now says that massive budgets and flashy numbers no longer influence her choices. Instead, she is choosing honesty, instinct and healthy work culture over scale. Her recent exits from Kalki 2898 AD and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit reflect this shift, and the actress has finally opened up about it in detail.
Deepika Says Her Priorities Have Changed
In her latest conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, Deepika said that her choices today are very different from what they used to be. She explained that the pressure of doing only big films no longer excites her. She said that making Rs 100 crore or even Rs 500 crore films is not what she is chasing now. According to her, success is not about numbers but about being connected to the story she is telling and the people she is working with.
Deepika has also been investing her time in nurturing new talent under her banner KA Productions. She shared that helping storytellers, writers and young creative voices is what feels meaningful to her at this stage.
Why Deepika Padukone Walked Out of Kalki 2898 AD
Deepika Padukone’s exit from Kalki 2898 AD had become a huge talking point since the film is one of the biggest pan-India projects. Although previous reports had hinted on scheduling issues, the actress has now provided some light on the actual cause.
Deepika said that Bollywood has made it an unhealthy practice of overworking. She explained that people tend to mix burnout with commitment and she no longer desires to be a part of that system. To her, a working day of eight hours is needed to keep her physically and mentally well.
It had been already reported that Deepika demanded equal pay, as well as just working hours on the set, which were the primary reasons why she decided to leave. Kalki 2898 AD carries on with Amitabh Bachchan and the others but her exit brings up an even larger debate on work ethics in the industry.
Choosing Roles Based on Instinct, Not Money
The actress shared that she picks projects only when they feel honest to her. Deepika said that money has never been enough to convince her to join a film. If she does not believe in the story or the intention behind it, she simply won’t be a part of it. She added that while some films may not be commercial giants, she still chooses them because she believes in their message or the people behind them.
Deepika Padukone also reflected on her journey, saying she wasn’t always this clear. She admitted that there were phases when she made decisions she later questioned, but right now, she feels confident about choosing what truly matters.
Deepika Padukone Calls Out Unhealthy Work Culture in Bollywood
A strong part of her message was about the culture of extreme work pressure in the industry. Deepika said that actors and technicians are often pushed to work more than what is healthy for their body and mind. She believes that only when people are well-rested, they can deliver their best on set. She emphasised that overworking helps no one and that the industry needs to adopt better practices.
Deepika Padukone Work Front
Even though she has stepped away from two major films, Deepika Padukone’s slate remains as star-studded as ever. The actress is now gearing up to reunite with Shah Rukh Khan in King, which is already one of the most talked-about upcoming films. Deepika is also working on a huge pan-India action project tentatively titled AA22 x A6, co-starring Allu Arjun. The project is said to be mounted on a massive scale.
With her new clarity and focus, Deepika is choosing quality over quantity and well-being over pressure, marking a bold shift in how an A-list actress shapes her career in today’s industry.
Also Read | Aneet Padda’s Paris Getaway Goes Viral; Admits Missing Her Loved Ones
