Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan addressed swirling rumors of a rift with actress Deepika Padukone on September 29, 2025, during a promotional interview for her vlog series in Mumbai. The speculation erupted after social media users spotted that Khan and Padukone had allegedly unfollowed each other on Instagram, fueling whispers of a fallout linked to Khan’s recent “8-hour workday” joke about Padukone. Khan, who launched Padukone’s Bollywood career in Om Shanti Om (2007), firmly clarified that they “were never following each other” on the platform, calling the reports “baseless” and emphasizing their strong bond. The exchange, captured in a viral clip from her vlog featuring cook Dilip, has sparked relief and laughter among fans, amid Padukone’s high-profile exits from projects like Kalki 2898 AD sequel and Spirit.
The Spark: A Joke Gone Viral
The controversy ignited from Khan’s light-hearted vlog segment where her cook Dilip inquired about Padukone’s potential appearance on the show. Khan quipped, “Deepika Padukone ab sirf 8 ghanta shoot karti hai, usko show pe aane ka time nahi hai” (Deepika now shoots only for 8 hours; she doesn’t have time for the show). The remark, referencing Padukone’s reported demands for shorter workdays as a new mother, was intended as banter but snowballed when eagle-eyed fans noticed the Instagram unfollows. Reports amplified the story, suggesting tension over Padukone’s recent project exits and Khan’s perceived dig at her work ethic. Padukone, who shares a daughter Dua with Ranveer Singh, had faced scrutiny for prioritizing family, making the timing sensitive.
Farah’s Clarification: “We Don’t Even Wish Happy Birthdays on Insta”
In the interview, Khan laughed off the rumors, revealing their longstanding agreement to stay off each other’s social feeds. “Deepika and I were never following each other on Instagram. We don’t even wish birthday wishes on Insta because Deepika doesn’t like it,” she explained, stressing their preference for direct communication over public gestures. Khan elaborated that the “8-hour” comment was a playful exaggeration during a chat with actor Rohit Saraf’s family, not a jab at Padukone. “It wasn’t a dig—it was to make Dilip say he’ll work 8 hours when he actually does just 2!” she added, showcasing her signature humor. The duo’s professional history—collaborations on Happy New Year (2014) and Om Shanti Om—remains solid, with Khan calling Padukone a “close friend” who visited her post-delivery for her son Czar.
The Human Bond: Beyond Rumors and Reels
Khan’s response highlights their grounded friendship, forged in the chaos of Bollywood sets. Padukone, who debuted under Khan’s direction, has often credited her for guidance, while Khan has defended Padukone amid body-shaming and motherhood debates. Fans on X breathed a sigh of relief, trending #FarahDeepikaFriends with memes like “From OSO to no follow—wait, it was always like that?” The incident underscores social media’s role in fabricating feuds, where a simple unfollow becomes a headline. In India’s diverse 780-language entertainment world, such clarifications remind us: True bonds thrive offline, away from likes and follows.
-By Manoj H