Spirit controversy deepens over Deepika Padukone’s exit

The controversy surrounding Spirit has gained fresh attention following new claims made by Pranay Reddy Vanga, brother of filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, regarding the discussions that took place before Deepika Padukone’s departure from the Prabhas-led film.

Pranay recently addressed the matter in an interview, offering his version of the events surrounding Deepika’s exit. According to him, the disagreement was not limited to one issue but involved several factors, including remuneration, scheduling and other matters that emerged during discussions between the actress and the production team.

He claimed that Sandeep Reddy Vanga had been in talks with Deepika for nearly 18 months and had strongly wanted her to be part of the project. However, after discussions between both sides, the filmmakers eventually decided to move forward with another actress.

Pranay also alleged that remuneration became an important part of the negotiations. He claimed that Deepika had sought a percentage of the film’s profits as part of her deal, saying that she had demanded a 10 percent share in the movie’s profits. According to him, the financial implications of the request were considered before the team decided to explore other casting options.

The filmmaker’s brother also spoke about the issue of confidentiality surrounding the project. He claimed that the story and character had been discussed with Deepika during the development stage but alleged that details from those private conversations later became public. His remarks added another dimension to the controversy, particularly because the film’s casting discussions had already attracted considerable attention.

Another major point linked to Deepika’s departure was reportedly her working schedule. Earlier reports suggested that the actress had requested an eight-hour working shift for the project. The issue became part of the wider discussion surrounding working conditions and schedules in the Indian film industry.

Deepika had previously defended her position on professional working hours, making it clear that she did not believe her expectations were unreasonable. Her comments further fueled conversations about the demands placed on actors and the importance of maintaining healthy working conditions during film productions.

The controversy intensified further after Sandeep Reddy Vanga appeared to respond to the situation through a social media post. Although he did not directly name Deepika, the filmmaker expressed disappointment over confidential conversations between filmmakers and actors being made public.

Sandeep emphasized the trust involved when he narrates a story to an actor and referred to an “unsaid NDA” between them. His comments were widely interpreted as a reference to the discussions surrounding Spirit and the information that had emerged following Deepika’s exit.

Following her departure, Triptii Dimri was brought on board as the female lead opposite Prabhas. Her inclusion officially marked a major change in the film’s casting and shifted attention toward the new pairing.

Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Spirit remains one of the most anticipated upcoming Indian films, with Prabhas in the lead role and Triptii Dimri as the female protagonist. The film is currently scheduled for release in March 2027.

The developments surrounding Deepika’s exit have continued to generate discussion among cinema audiences, with the reported disagreements over remuneration, scheduling and confidentiality adding further interest to the project even before its release.