Today, January 5, 2026, marks Deepika Padukone’s 40th birthday. The superstar has built an incredible career with massive hits like Om Shanti Om, Pathaan, and more recently, her ventures into motherhood and selective projects. But along the way, certain moments stirred up huge debates across the country. Here’s a roundup of 5 major controversies that got everyone talking.
The Recent Exit from ‘Spirit’ and Mom Duties Clash (2025)
After giving birth to daughter Dua, Deepika chose family over a full-throttle schedule, stepping away from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit opposite Prabhas. She reportedly asked for shorter shooting hours—around eight per day—which didn’t sit well with the team. Vanga dropped subtle shades online about trust issues, and Triptii Dimri jumped in as replacement. This whole thing kicked off endless chats about how Bollywood treats new moms versus dads.
Name Dropped from Kalki 2898 AD Sequel Credits
When Deepika decided not to return for the next part of Kalki 2898 AD, makers quietly removed her name from the streaming credits of the first film. Fans called it out as shady and unfair, especially toward actresses who set boundaries post-baby. It highlighted how quickly the industry can turn on its leading ladies.
The Saffron Bikini Storm in Pathaan’s ‘Besharam Rang’ (2023)
That one song dropped and boom—protests everywhere because of the saffron-colored outfit in the visuals. Groups claimed it hurt religious feelings, boycott calls trended hard, and trolling went wild. Deepika pushed back strong on freedom in art and owning your body. In the end, Pathaan smashed records anyway.
Showing Up at JNU During Protests (2020)
Right before Chhapaak released, Deepika quietly joined students at Jawaharlal Nehru University standing against violence on campus. No speeches, just solidarity. Half the internet hailed her bravery; the other half slammed it as promo stunt, sparking #BoycottChhapaak trends. It showed how tricky it gets for stars dipping into real-world issues.
Chaos and Threats Over Padmaavat (2017-2018)
Playing Rani Padmavati in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s epic brought real danger—Karni Sena protests turned violent over supposed history twists. Deepika got death threats, sets were attacked, and even the Ghoomar song got tweaks to calm things down. She stuck through it all, and the movie raked in big bucks despite the bans and drama.
