By 2025, Bollywood proved once again that its most gripping dramas don’t always unfold on the big screen.While the year delivered record-breaking box office numbers with films like Dhurandhar, Chhaava and Saiyaara,it also exposed the fragile ecosystem behind them – where contracts collapse, egos clash, principles collide, and silence often speaks louder than statements.From high-profile exits and legal threats to public interviews that reignited industry-wide debates, casting controversies dominated headlines through the year. Major franchises like Hera Pheri, Drishyam, Don, and Kalki 2898 AD found themselves battling turbulence not from critics or audiences, but from within.Here’s a deep dive into Bollywood’s biggest casting controversies of 2025
Deepika Padukone: The Spirit Fallout & Kalki 2898 AD Sequel ExitPerhaps the most layered and widely debated controversy of 2025 revolved around Deepika Padukone -an actress at the peak of her global and domestic influence.The storm began when reports surfaced that Deepika had walked out of Spirit, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s much-anticipated film starring Prabhas. According to industry insiders, the exit stemmed from Deepika’s insistence on an eight-hour workday -a demand that was allegedly not accepted by the director.What followed escalated quickly. Vanga reportedly replaced Deepika with Triptii Dimri and hinted, through cryptic remarks, at a “breach of trust” and even a possible script leak..But the controversy didn’t stop there.Months later, the makers of Kalki 2898 AD announced that Deepika would not be returning for the sequel, stating that they were “unable to find a partnership” with the actress. Taking to the makers wrote , “This is to officially announce that @deepikapadukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel of #Kalki2898AD. After careful consideration, We have decided to part ways. Despite the long journey of making the first film, we were unable to find a partnership. And a film like @Kalki2898AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future works.”Given her pivotal role in the first film, the announcement raised eyebrows and reignited speculation about whether her professional stance had quietly cost her major projects.Deepika finally addressed the issue indirectly during an interview with CNBC-TV18, delivering a statement that quickly went viral.“If, by virtue of being a woman, that’s coming across as being pushy, then so be it,” she said, adding, “It’s no secret that a lot of male superstars have been working eight hours for years.”Her remarks transformed what began as a casting dispute into a broader conversation about gender parity, work-life balance, and double standards in Bollywood -making this controversy one of the most socially resonant of the year.Paresh Rawal’s Exit -and Return -to Hera Pheri 3Few announcements in 2025 shocked fans as deeply as Paresh Rawal’s reported exit from Hera Pheri 3.Taking to announce his decision to exit the film he wrote, “ I wish to put it on record that my decision to step away from Hera Pheri 3 was not due to creative differences. I REITERATE THAT THERE ARE NO CREATIVE DISAGREEMENT WITH THE FILM MAKER . I hold immense love, respect, and faith in Mr. Priyadarshan the film director.” For audiences, Hera Pheri without Baburao felt unthinkable -almost sacrilegious. When news broke that Rawal had stepped away from the project, disbelief quickly turned into concern.The situation escalated when reports emerged that Akshay Kumar had initiated legal action against Rawal, allegedly over contractual obligations and losses caused by the sudden exit. Then came the twist.Within days, Paresh Rawal returned to the franchise, putting an abrupt end to one of the year’s most dramatic casting sagas. While the terms of his return were never made public, the episode served as a reminder that even Bollywood’s most beloved legacy franchises are vulnerable to behind-the-scenes turbulence.Akshaye Khanna Walks Out of Drishyam 3As 2025 drew to a close, another bombshell rocked the industry.It was reported that Akshaye Khanna had exited Drishyam 3, triggering a rare and explosive response from producer Kumar Mangat Pathak. Unlike most such disputes, this one played out in blunt public statements rather than strategic silence.Pathak accused Akshaye of walking out at the last minute despite signing an agreement and accepting an advance payment. Adding fuel to the fire, he revealed that he had reservations over Akshaye’s demand for a wig -which allegedly became a major point of contention.The controversy stunned fans, especially because Akshaye’s portrayal of IG Tarun Ahlawat was widely considered one of the franchise’s strongest elements. His exit raised uncomfortable questions about professionalism, contractual ethics, and how creative disagreements are handled in high-stakes productions. He was replaced by Jaideep Ahlawat in the film. Ranveer Singh Steps Away from Don 3After the massive success of Dhurandhar, expectations around Ranveer Singh’s next move were sky-high. Don 3, envisioned as his collaboration with Farhan Akhtar, was set to usher in a new era for one of Bollywood’s most iconic franchises.Instead, it became one of the most talked-about non-films of 2025.Reports claimed that Ranveer had walked out of Don 3, allegedly over remuneration demands -pegged at Rs 30 crore -and creative differences regarding the film’s direction. Neither Ranveer Singh nor Farhan Akhtar issued an official statement, choosing complete silence instead.Saif Ali Khan vs the Taurani CampAnother controversy unfolded quietly but carried significant consequences.Saif Ali Khan reportedly opted out of a film directed by Sneha Taurani, daughter of producer Ramesh Taurani, after having committed to the project. Unwilling to delay production or incur losses, Taurani swiftly replaced Saif with Sunny Kaushal.The fallout, however, was far-reaching. In what was seen as a retaliatory move, Saif was reportedly dropped from the Race franchise -a series closely associated with the Taurani banner as reported by Deccan Chronicle. 2025 made one thing abundantly clear: Bollywood’s biggest conflicts no longer stay behind closed doors.These controversies didn’t just disrupt films -they sparked larger conversations about creative freedom, gender equity, contractual accountability, and power dynamics in the industry.
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