Deepika Padukone has offered one of her most candid reflections yet on the evolving pressures of Bollywood, revealing why she is no longer drawn to massive ₹500-crore spectacles. Speaking about her exit from the Kalki 2898 AD sequel and from Spirit, she explained that these choices were not about scale, scripts, or co-stars, but about reclaiming balance in an industry that often glorifies exhaustion.
Deepika noted that the culture of constant hustle makes many actors mistake burnout for dedication, pushing themselves long past healthy limits in the name of commitment. After years of back-to-back mega productions, she recognised that the chase for bigger franchises and higher budgets had begun overshadowing the joy of performance, creativity, and personal well-being.
She shared that excessive workload, long production schedules, and the relentless demand for high-stakes roles left little room for rest, reflection, or the kind of artistic depth she now seeks. This prompted a conscious shift: choosing roles that nourish rather than drain, prioritising mental health, and working at a pace aligned with her long-term vision.
Deepika also highlighted that meaningful storytelling, strong character arcs, and a grounded creative environment matter more to her today than star-studded lineups or extravagant VFX-heavy narratives. Her remarks have sparked conversations across the industry, with many praising her honesty about the hidden emotional toll behind big-budget cinema.
Her stance signals a broader transformation in Bollywood, one where well-being, sustainability, and personal agency are becoming as important as commercial success.
