Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone recently made the headlines when filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga reportedly roped in the actress for his upcoming film Spirit starring opposite actor Prabhas. According to the latest developments Deepika refused to meet the demands made by Reddy therefore cancelling the offer. In retaliation Sandeep called Deepikas rejection an act of dirty PR game which pissed him off. Recently renowned filmmaker Mani Ratnam defended Deepika Padukone and justified why he preferred to take her side. During a conversation with News 18 Mani Ratnam defended Deepika Padukone amid the Spirit controversy. I’m glad she’s in a position to ask for it. I think as a filmmaker you will consider that when you cast. It is not an unreasonable thing to ask but an absolute necessity. I think that should be the priority. You have to acknowledge that understand it and work around it said Mani Ratnam. Earlier actor Ajay Devgn also gave his reaction on this controversy. On the 8-hour shift daily Ajay said It’s not that it’s not going down well with people. Most of the honest filmmakers will not have problems with it. And apart from this being a mother and working for eight hours most people have started working eight-nine hours shifts. Sandeep Reddy Vanga in a post penned When I narrate a story to an actor I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this you’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are…. Putting down a younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for?. Deepika Padukone was initially cast opposite Prabhas in Spirit which would have been her second pan-India Telugu film after Kalki 2898 AD. But due to not being able to fulfill Deepikas demands now Triptii Dimri will be the heroine of this film. Triptii has previously worked in Sandeep Reddys Animal with Ranbir Kapoor. Her work was very much liked by the audience.