Deepika loses spirit; revisits 8 blockbuster movies she once rejected

When Deepika Padukone walked away from Spirit, a big-ticket film with Prabhas and director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, it didn’t just make headlines, it reignited debates that refuse to die in Bollywood.

This isn't new territory for Deepika. Her track record shows a clear pattern: she doesn't bend when it comes to fairness. In fact, she once famously said no to a project because her male co-star was getting paid significantly more. “I know my worth,” she said at the time and it wasn’t just a quote, it was a line in the sand. Critics may forget, but fans haven’t. She's been consistent in demanding what she deserves, whether it's better roles or better pay.

Looking back, her rejected film list reads like a greatest-hits album. Gangubai Kathiawadi, Rockstar, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Fast & Furious 7, Dhoom 3, Roy, Sultan, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo each one a blockbuster she chose not to do. Some because of scheduling, others due to creative calls. Still, those choices didn’t derail her career. If anything, they reinforced her identity as someone who won’t compromise her values for screen time.

So, whether it’s Spirit or any other major film, Deepika isn’t losing ground she’s holding it. And in an industry still learning to accept assertive women, she remains one of the few who says no without fear, even if it means missing out on the next big box office wave.