Bollywood

The bond between filmmaker Farah Khan and actor Deepika Padukone has always been a subject of warmth and admiration in Bollywood circles. Farah not only introduced Deepika to the industry with Om Shanti Om (2007), opposite Shah Rukh Khan, but also collaborated with her again in Happy New Year (2014), a project that reaffirmed their camaraderie. However, in recent weeks, social media has been abuzz with rumours of a fallout between the two. The speculation intensified after several reports claimed that the duo had unfollowed each other on Instagram, with even Ranveer Singh’s name dragged into the chatter.

While gossip mills spun countless theories, Farah Khan chose not to remain silent. Instead, she responded directly to the speculation, dismissing the claims in a sharp and straightforward manner.

Did Deepika Padukone Unfollowed Farah Khan?

The drama began when screenshots started circulating online, allegedly showing that Farah and Deepika had unfollowed each other on Instagram. Many netizens quickly linked the supposed digital disconnect to Deepika’s reported professional choices and Farah’s recent comments. A section of social media further claimed that Ranveer Singh had also unfollowed Farah, adding more weight to the whispers of a brewing rift.

The narrative suggested that the distance stemmed from Farah’s apparent disapproval of Deepika’s demand for an eight-hour workday — a condition that reportedly led to her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and later her stepping away from Kalki 2898 AD.

Farah Khan’s Sharp Response

Farah, known for her candidness, came across one such speculative post and decided to set the record straight. In her comment, she lashed out at the baseless gossip, writing:
“What rubbish ul write!! Pls find other things to do.”

Her reaction was a clear indication that she wanted to quash the chatter before it spiralled further.

The ‘8-Hour Shift’ Angle

Interestingly, the rumour gained momentum due to snippets from Farah Khan’s own vlogs. In recent episodes, she has made cheeky remarks about the widely discussed “8-hour work shift” debate, something that has now become closely associated with Deepika.

During her visit to actor Radhikka Madan’s home, Farah recalled Radhikka’s early struggles. When Farah asked if Radhikka’s initial projects had long hours, the actor replied that she often worked for “48 to 56 hours non-stop.” Farah then wittily remarked, “Aise tapke hi toh sona banta hai (this is how gold is made),” signalling her belief that success requires hard work beyond fixed timeframes.

In another vlog at actor Rohit Saraf’s house, Farah’s cook Dilip asked, “Deepika Padukone ma’am kab aayengi humare show main (When will Deepika ma’am come to our show)?” Farah quipped, “Jiss din tu gaon jaayega naa, uss din aayegi (The day you go to your village, that day she’ll come).” She added with another playful jab, “Deepika Padukone ab sirf 8 ghanta shoot karti hai, usko show pe aane ka time nahi hai (She now shoots only for 8 hours, she doesn’t have time to come to our show).”

While many fans interpreted these comments as digs at Deepika, it remains unclear whether Farah intended them as light-hearted banter or genuine criticism. The subsequent Instagram rumours only added fuel to the fire, leading to speculation of a strained relationship.

A Bond Beyond Rumours

Despite the online frenzy, industry insiders suggest that the bond between Farah and Deepika runs deeper than a few stray comments. Farah has often praised Deepika for her talent, discipline, and professionalism, while Deepika has credited Farah for giving her the platform that catapulted her into stardom.

The filmmaker’s recent dismissal of the rumours indicates that she values their relationship and does not want idle gossip to overshadow their history. For Bollywood watchers, this episode serves as a reminder of how quickly social media speculation can snowball into full-blown narratives — ones that the people involved may not even recognise.

For now, it seems Farah Khan’s blunt clarification has put the rumours to rest, though fans will likely keep a close watch on their future interactions, both online and off-screen. What remains undeniable is that Farah and Deepika’s collaboration has already left an indelible mark on Indian cinema, and their personal rapport cannot be reduced to mere social media conjecture.