By: Entertainment DeskNew Delhi | November 17, 2025 08:55 PM IST 3 min readDeepika Padukone talks about projects that excite her. (Photo: Instagram/Deepika Padukone)Deepika Padukone, who has been in the news for advocating fair working hours and equal pay, now says she has reached a point in her career where fame and money no longer drive her choices. After stepping away from two major projects opposite Baahubali star Prabhas, the actress shared that Rs 500-crore films no longer excite her.ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW VIDEOIn a conversation with Harper’s Bazaar, Deepika said, “At this stage, it’s not about that anymore. It’s not about the Rs 100-crore films, or even the Rs 500–Rs 600 crore ones.”She added, “What excites me is empowering other talent. My team and I are now focused on that—enabling storytelling and supporting other creative minds, writers, directors, and even new producers. That’s what feels meaningful to me now.”ALSO READ | Tabu reveals two rules Akshay Kumar swears by, haven’t changed in 25 years: ‘He wakes up at 4 am, doesn’t go to parties’Deepika Padukoe, who has produced Chhapaak and 83 under KA Productions, explained her evolved approach to choosing work. “Anything that doesn’t feel true to me doesn’t cut it. Sometimes people offer a lot of money and think that’s enough, but it isn’t. And the reverse is also true—some things may not be commercially big, but I believe in the people or the message, and I’ll stand by it. Was I always this clear? Maybe not. But I’ve reached that clarity now. Do I sometimes look back and think, ‘What was I thinking?’ Of course. That’s part of learning. Maybe 10 years from now, I’ll question some of today’s choices. But right now, they feel honest.”One of Bollywood’s highest-paid actresses, Deepika recently spoke about the unhealthy glorification of overworking. She told Harper’s Bazaar, “We have normalised overworking. We mistake burnout for commitment. Eight hours of work a day is enough for the human body and mind. Only when you’re healthy can you give your best. Bringing a burnt-out person back into the system helps no one.”Earlier, Deepika Padukone had walked out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD. Reports claimed she demanded equal pay and an eight-hour work shift for Spirit, and her departure from Kalki was speculated to be for similar reasons.Story continues below this adShe is currently working with Shah Rukh Khan on his film King.Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:Deepika Padukone