Deepika Padukone, a prominent figure in Bollywood, has decided to forgo her acting role in the Hindi remake of the 2015 Hollywood film The Intern, opting instead to take on a producer’s role under her banner, KA Productions. This shift marks a significant pivot in her career as she prioritizes storytelling with global appeal, amid recent speculation surrounding her professional choices.
Deepika Transitions to Producer for The Intern Remake
Initially set to star alongside the late Rishi Kapoor in the Hindi adaptation of The Intern, Deepika Padukone will now oversee the project as a producer, managing its creative and logistical overhaul.
A report by Mid-Day stated, “This time, Deepika will step away from acting in the film to serve solely as a producer, overseeing the creative and logistical reboot. A new leading lady is being cast to play the part she was once slated to perform.”
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Following Rishi Kapoor’s passing, veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan stepped in to take the lead role opposite a yet-to-be-announced actress. The report further noted, “The Intern is the first of five projects she plans to mount in the coming year. She is looking to tell stories that are globally relevant.”
This move underscores Deepika’s ambition to shape impactful narratives through her production house, KA Productions, which she founded to champion diverse cinematic projects.
Recent Career Moves and Debunked Rumors
Deepika’s decision to focus on producing comes on the heels of her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, a film starring Prabhas, where she was replaced by Triptii Dimri.
Reports suggest her departure was driven by creative disagreements, including demands for an eight-hour workday, profit-sharing, substantial compensation, and her refusal to deliver dialogues in Telugu. Additionally, rumors swirled about potential tensions on the set of Kalki 2, with claims that Deepika sought shorter work hours post-motherhood, which could have impacted her role.
However, sources close to the production clarified that no such conflicts occurred, as Kalki 2 remains in development with no shooting or interactions yet. Deepika, who welcomed her daughter Dua with husband Ranveer Singh in September 2024, was last seen in the Diwali 2024 release Singham Again, solidifying her on-screen presence before this strategic shift.