Bollywood’s dirty PR tactics? What really happens when stars Like Deepika Padukone walk out of big films

Dubai: In the glossy world of Bollywood, a film is rarely just a film or a work of art. It’s a high-stakes equation of money, power, egos and public perception.

So when a big star exits a project citing “creative differences” or scheduling issues, you can almost hear the wheels of their enthusiastic PR machinery begin to turn.

What follows is rarely graceful. Leaked stories, not-so-subtle blind items with no credible sources, and character assassinations of the lead celebrity players dressed as news reports swiftly fill the vacuum—often doing far more damage than the original disagreement ever warranted.

The latest flashpoint? The fallout between filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga and actress Deepika Padukone. While Vanga never names her directly, his recent social media post is acidic and screams betrayal. He accused an unnamed actor of leaking his film's story he had narrated in confidence and of attempting to “put down a younger actor”—a not-so-thinly-veiled reference to his new leading lady, Triptii Dimri who has stepped into Deepika's shoes.

“Is this what your feminism stands for?” he asks rhetorically, implying both moral hypocrisy and professional sabotage.

Deepika, who's one of Bollywood's most bankable stars and a staunch mental health advocate, has not responded to the allegations.

But the public -- spurred by numerous unverified news reports on what could have transpired -- has already begun drawing battle lines based on their own loyalties. And that, in theory, is the entire point of such vague online outbursts. They are not clarifications; they are declarations of ego tussles.

This cycle isn’t new. Every time an A-list actor exits a film, it’s as if the studio or the filmmaker must retroactively justify the loss—by painting the actor as unprofessional, insecure, or temperamental.

The media, complicit or unaware, amplifies these leaks under the guise of “industry buzz.” The goal is clear: to shape the narrative before the other side does.

Think back to Kangana Ranaut’s now-iconic declaration on Koffee With Karan, where she called Karan Johar the “flagbearer of nepotism.” What followed wasn’t just a debate—it was a systematic effort to undermine her credibility. She was called difficult, toxic, and “too vocal.” Her opinions were reduced to attention-seeking antics. Or take Kartik Aaryan’s ousting from Dostana 2 under Karan Johar’s banner. No official explanation was given, but stories quickly surfaced alleging that he was unprofessional and had caused delays. Aaryan never addressed the claims directly, but the damage was done. Public perception shifted—because perception, in Bollywood, is everything.

According to reports, when Shraddha Kapoor reportedly walked out of Naagin, trade reports were quick to suggest that she lacked the “X factor” needed for the role.

When Kareena Kapoor exited Devdas decades ago, several reports on mostly Indian media were quick to paint her as high-maintenance. The common denominator? The star who exits first is rarely allowed to leave quietly.

The sad truth is that Bollywood, despite its glitzy veneer, still struggles to treat professional exits as just that—professional.

When actors or directors disagree, the focus should be on protecting artistic integrity, not on spinning tales that humiliate or discredit the other party. And in most cases, these smear campaigns are one-sided. The side with more access to media or stronger PR backing usually controls the story and the washing of dirty linen in public.

For starters, Bollywood needs a code of silence—not secrecy, but dignity. When deals fall apart, both parties should be able to walk away without fearing reputational damage. Filmmakers should refrain from airing grievances online, and actors should trust that their withdrawal won’t be spun into a scandal. Publicists and media outlets also bear responsibility. Stories based on anonymous “sources” should not be given the same weight as official statements.

Perhaps most importantly, the audience must grow savvier. As viewers, we need to stop rewarding sensationalism and start asking: Who benefits from this leak? Whose side is this story really telling?

Because in the end, the real film isn’t the one on screen—it’s the one playing out behind the scenes. Let's try not to be mute spectators to well-orchestrated drama.