Deepika allegedly requested a 25 per cent fee hike.
The Bollywood industry is abuzz with renewed discussion about actors’ high entourage costs following Deepika Padukone’s removal from Kalki 2.
Social media conversations have intensified over the past weeks.
The controversy centres on whether top-tier actors are making demands that burden production budgets.
Deepika’s ousting has become a focal point for this broader debate within the industry.
Ranveer Singh’s upcoming projects have also brought attention to actor lifestyle expenses.
Recent reports revealed Ranveer uses three vanity vans on set, further fueling the discussion.
A report by The Hollywood Reporter India claimed Ranveer requires a vanity van for personal use, a gym van, and another for a private chef during shoots.
A source close to Ranveer told the publication the average maintenance cost of each van is around Rs 10–15 lakh, raising questions over production costs.
While it is unclear whether these vans are officially part of Ranveer’s entourage, the revelation has intensified debates over industry standards and entitlement culture.
This comes shortly after news broke that Deepika Padukone had been dropped from Kalki 2, with reports citing her high demands as a reason.
According to Bollywood Hungama, Deepika allegedly requested a 25 per cent fee hike and a seven-hour work shift while demanding extensive perks for her entourage of 25 people.
Her team reportedly insisted on five-star accommodation and full reimbursement for food throughout the shoot, which producers argued was beyond reasonable expense obligations.
Despite producers’ attempts to negotiate, Deepika stood firm on her demands, leading Vyjayanthi Movies to part ways with the star after “careful consideration”.
Vyjayanthi Movies released an official statement announcing Deepika’s departure, citing an inability to “find a partnership” and emphasising the film deserved full commitment from its cast.
Fans took to social media to express disappointment, with many criticising the statement’s tone, arguing it unfairly questioned Deepika’s professionalism and dedication to the project.
Some viewers called the announcement “harsh” and “unprofessional”, claiming Deepika’s absence would diminish the sequel’s emotional and cinematic impact significantly.
Deepika’s role as Sumati in the first Kalki 2898 AD film had won critical acclaim, with audiences praising her depth and emotional resonance in pivotal scenes.
Meanwhile, Ranveer is set to star in Dhurandhar, a film directed by Aditya Dhar, scheduled for release in December 2025.
Little is known about the plot, but speculation suggests Ranveer will portray an undercover spy, with the story celebrating the bravery of India’s special agents in Pakistan.
The entanglement of Ranveer’s vanity van revelations with Deepika’s departure has reignited conversations about Bollywood’s evolving culture of celebrity demands and the costs they entail.
For now, the Kalki 2 controversy remains unresolved, with the industry and fans watching closely to see how it reshapes expectations around actors’ requirements.