Narayani Shastri breaks silence on Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit with Prabhas: 'I believe women should rest after childbirth'

Narayani Shastri is set to return to the small screen with a powerful double role in the upcoming show Noyontara. Known for her versatile performances, Narayani dives into two contrasting characters—one layered and virtuous, the other charmingly wicked. In a candid chat with IANS, she opened up about the thrill and challenge of switching between these roles, and how the demanding process kept her creatively sharp on set.The actress believes that the decision to return to work after childbirth is a deeply personal one. She noted that someone like Deepika Padukone is in a position to set her own terms, and if those terms are accepted, it’s a win for everyone involved. While Narayani personally feels that women should take time to rest post-childbirth, she also emphasized that if a new mother feels ready and has the strength and support system to resume work, she should absolutely be empowered to do so.Deepika Padukone was recently replaced by Triptii Dimri in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s much-anticipated film Spirit. Reports suggest the decision stemmed from specific working conditions proposed by Deepika, including an eight-hour workday, a higher remuneration, and a share in the film’s profits. Additionally, it is believed she opted not to speak the Telugu dialogues herself, requesting them to be dubbed instead.On the work front, Narayani is gearing up for her next television outing, Noyontara, where she takes on a double role. Describing her characters, she revealed that one is a layered positive role, while the other is a deceptively charming negative one—what she calls “a sweet knife.” For the actress, portraying such contrasting personas offers a rewarding challenge and an exciting creative space to explore.Reflecting on her shooting experience, Narayani Shastri shared that playing a double role came with its own set of challenges. In the early days, the team often paused to reassess if they were capturing the right energy or portraying the correct character. The process demanded sharp focus and constant mental alertness to ensure she was embodying the right persona at any given moment. Despite the complexity, she described the overall experience as immensely enjoyable. Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone's previous hit film was 'Kalki 2898 AD'.