Deepika Padukone joins Allu Arjun Atlee action film, marking a notable shift in her career as she returns from maternity leave to sign on for a major Telugu project while stepping away from another high-profile collaboration. The decision, which follows her daughter Dua’s birth with Ranveer Singh, involves her starring in Atlee’s highly anticipated AA22 x A6, after her reported exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit.
Deepika Padukone Set for Action Role in Atlee’s Big-Budget Venture
After taking time off to embrace motherhood, Deepika Padukone is making strategic choices for her return to the film industry. Reports indicate she will take on a significant character in Shah Rukh Khan’s King and a central part in a large-scale Telugu film. The film in question is the Rs 700 crore action production AA22 x A6, directed by Atlee and co-starring Allu Arjun.
As revealed by Peepingmoon, negotiations between Deepika Padukone and Atlee have been ongoing, culminating in her official signing for the project. This movie represents her second collaboration with the director, following their previous work on Jawan with Shah Rukh Khan. Alongside her, the film rounds out its cast with Mrunal Thakur and Janhvi Kapoor as other prominent female leads. The reported buzz suggests that Deepika has commanded a substantial fee for her participation, underscoring her influence and expectations for dynamic onscreen chemistry with Allu Arjun. Casting for another major character is still underway. The actress is expected to take on a look customized for the requirements of the film’s narrative.
Reasons Behind Her Exit from Prabhas’ Spirit
Even as she steps into her second Telugu feature alongside Allu Arjun, Deepika has stepped back from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, which would have paired her with Prabhas. Telugu news outlets, including Gulte and Great Andhra, report that scheduling demands played a major part in her decision to withdraw. Specifically, Deepika requested a strict eight-hour day, effectively translating to six hours of actual filming. The situation became more tense when she reportedly asked not only for a significant salary but also a share of the profits from the film.
Negotiations became further strained, according to insiders, when the actress allegedly refused to perform her dialogues in Telugu. These escalating conditions led to a stalemate between Deepika’s team and the Spirit filmmakers.
“Sandeep Reddy Vanga got the shock of his life when Deepika Padukone refused to shoot for more than 6 hours a day for Spirit. That’s not all, the actress, via her agency, also started to demand an amendment to the contract. Their point of contention was simple – if the shoot extends beyond 100 days, Deepika will have to be paid extra for every single day of shoot beyond the commitment on paper.”
—Source, Bollywood Hungama
Insiders also shared that Sandeep Reddy Vanga tried to resolve matters with his producer, but the discussions did not lead to an agreement since
“Deepika and her team were not willing to bow.”
—Source, Bollywood Hungama
Implications for Deepika and the Telugu Film Industry
Deepika Padukone’s choices highlight both the changing dynamics of high-profile casting in Indian cinema and the growing stakes involved for top stars. Her association with Atlee’s action spectacle is likely to attract wider attention, especially as anticipation runs high for her chemistry with Allu Arjun and the ensemble featuring Mrunal Thakur and Janhvi Kapoor.
Her withdrawal from Spirit, meanwhile, signals that negotiations around roles, compensation, and work conditions are taking on new significance as stars balance personal demands with ambitious film projects. The outcome may encourage more open negotiations in future big-budget collaborations. As the industry waits for AA22 x A6 to unfold, all eyes will be on Deepika Padukone’s next moves and her evolving role in shaping the contours of mainstream Indian cinema.
