It seems like it’s impossible for Sandeep Reddy Vanga to make a film without controversy following closely behind. But this time, the situation is a little different—because the movie hasn’t even gone on the floors yet, and the drama has already begun.
Deepika Padukone’s Sudden Exit
A while back, reports came out that Deepika Padukone was cast opposite Prabhas for the upcoming film Spirit. But last week, the news broke that she was no longer part of the project. Many portals used different headlines—“backed out,” “replaced,” “dropped”—and the news quickly spread across the internet. So far, everything seemed normal. After all, actors walk away from films for various reasons all the time.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Cryptic Tweet
What stirred things up was a tweet from Sandeep Reddy Vanga himself. On May 26, he tweeted something that caught everyone’s attention. He wrote:
"When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There’s an unspoken NDA between us. But what you’ve done shows you're trying to pull down a younger actor and overshadow my story. Is that what feminism means to you? I put years into my work. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You’ll never get it."
This tweet, full of emotion and frustration, didn’t mention any names—but it was clear who he was talking about.
Triptii Dimri Comes In
Just days after that tweet, the announcement came: Triptii Dimri is now the female lead of Spirit. And suddenly, everything started making sense. Deepika’s exit was followed almost immediately by Triptii’s entry. That timing raised more than a few eyebrows.
To make things more interesting, a news article popped up around the same time claiming that the film includes bold scenes and that both the lead actor and new actress had agreed to them. It also mentioned that the filmmaker wanted to add an A-rated action twist to the genre.
Was It a PR Move?
Although the article didn’t directly quote Deepika Padukone, many assumed the statements came from her camp. Previously, the same portal had reported that Deepika was excited about the role, calling it Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s best-written female character yet. That contradiction seemed to irritate the director—and possibly led to his emotional tweet.
There’s speculation that Deepika’s PR team may have planted the article to protect her image. And let’s be honest—PR teams do that all the time. Their job is to manage reputation, no matter the backstage drama.
The Real Reasons Behind the Exit?
Digging deeper, reports suggest Deepika had a few conditions for doing the film. One, she wanted an 8-hour shift cap—reasonable, considering she recently became a mother. Two, her fee was set at ₹20 crore, which makes sense for one of India’s top actresses. And three, she asked for a share in profits and wanted some changes in the script.
Now, negotiating profits isn’t unusual. Most big stars do that. But asking for story changes? That’s where things probably went south. Sandeep Reddy Vanga is known for sticking to his vision. That likely became the dealbreaker.
The Bigger Picture
Actors backing out and filmmakers making last-minute casting changes isn't new. Creative differences happen. But taking subtle digs or hurting a film’s public image post-exit? That’s not cool—if that’s what happened.
That said, it’s also possible that the media twisted things. Some portals will publish anything for clicks, with little regard for accuracy.
No One’s Career Is at Risk
Let’s be real—this controversy isn’t going to damage anyone’s career. Deepika is still a major force in Indian cinema and will continue to bag massive projects. Sandeep Reddy Vanga, on the other hand, has his own fanbase and a proven record. He could turn a newcomer into a star—and he’s done it.
Just look at Triptii Dimri. She had been in the industry for years, but after Animal, her career took off like never before. And now, she’s reportedly being paid ₹4–6 crore for Spirit—her biggest paycheck to date.
Spirit’s Global Vision
Spirit is being promoted as a pan-world film, set to release in nine languages. There’s also buzz about international collaborations. One strong rumor is that Korean superstar Don Lee (also known as Ma Dong-seok) might be involved. He even shared the poster of Prabhas's Salaar on Instagram, which fans think could be a hint.
There are also whispers about Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, and Vijay Sethupathi being approached. But so far, only two names are confirmed: Prabhas and Triptii Dimri.
The Release Timeline
Producers are aiming for a 2026 release. But let’s be honest—it’ll probably slip into 2027. Prabhas has a packed schedule, and Sandeep Reddy Vanga isn’t known for rushing his work. He likes taking his time to get every shot right—even if that means reshoots.
Fun fact: if you’ve watched his past films closely, you’d notice he never uses on-screen text for time jumps like “6 months later.” He shows it through physical transformation—beards, body shape, costumes—and dialogues. That’s his style.
Budget and Expectations
Spirit reportedly has a massive budget of ₹300–400 crore. Given Prabhas’s stardom and Vanga’s vision, that’s not surprising. In fact, Vanga believes the film could open with ₹150 crore on day one. But many fans feel even that is a low estimate. With the hype around it, don’t be surprised if it crosses ₹200 crore on opening day.
Interestingly, Spirit wasn’t the first project planned between Prabhas and Vanga. They initially considered a Hollywood remake, but Vanga insisted on doing something original. The idea for Spirit was born during the making of Animal, and Prabhas loved it instantly.
What’s Next?
Spirit is the second film in a three-movie deal between Sandeep Reddy Vanga and T-Series. The first was Animal, and the third could either be Animal Park or a fresh project with Allu Arjun.
Whatever it is, one thing is certain—Sandeep Reddy Vanga doesn’t hold back. Whether actors stay or leave, he keeps delivering blockbusters, even with fresh faces.
Final Thoughts
Whether Spirit releases in late 2026 or 2027, expectations are sky-high. With Prabhas in the lead and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s creative madness at play, this film is poised to make waves.
What do you think Spirit's lifetime box office collection will be? Share your thoughts in the comments below!