Kabir Khan defends Deepika’s demands for Spirit

Kabir Khan has stepped into the ongoing industry debate sparked by Deepika Padukone’s alleged fallout with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga over her reported demands for the upcoming film Spirit starring Prabhas. While rumours suggested that Deepika asked for an eight-hour workday and a Rs 25 crore fee, Kabir has come out in strong support of the actress, citing fairness, precedent, and the well-being of film crews.In an interview with Movified, Kabir emphasized the importance of structured working hours in the entertainment industry. “I work with 500 crew members who each have families and their own lives,” he said. “Their well-being matters, not just for efficiency, but for their mental health.”Backing Deepika’s request, the 83 director added, “It’s a fair point. Aamir Khan works on an 8-hour shift. Akshay Kumar too. So I don’t see why Deepika should be denied the same.”

Kabir further asserted that if a director expects longer work hours, they should offer a valid reason: “It’s that simple.”Kabir on why personal sacrifice isn’t a mustRejecting the notion that productivity in cinema must come at the cost of personal sacrifice, Kabir pointed to his own filmmaking practices. “I’ve never shot beyond a 12-hour day, never done overtime, and never worked on Sundays,” he said. “These are basic and reasonable rules.”

When asked about Deepika’s reported Rs 25 crore remuneration demand, Kabir maintained that pay should be based on star power and audience pull. “Whoever brings in the viewers, whether an actor, director, man or woman... they deserve to be paid what they’re worth,” he said, noting that Deepika consistently draws crowds and thus commands her market value.