Spirit Movie, the highly anticipated film from Animal and Kabir Singh director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, has been making headlines for reasons beyond its star-studded cast. Initially announced with Prabhas in the lead and Deepika Padukone as the female lead, the project took a dramatic turn when reports emerged last week that Deepika had exited the film. Now, with Triptii Dimri stepping in as the new lead, a fresh wave of controversy has reignited debate online.
Deepika Padukone’s Exit Sparks Debate
Deepika, who had signed on earlier this year, was set to appear in Spirit—her second Telugu-language pan-India project after Kalki 2898 AD. However, her departure from the film quickly became a trending topic. Reports claimed that her exit stemmed from what sources called “unprofessional demands.” According to Bollywood Hungama, the actor allegedly limited her shoot days to six hours and requested additional pay for schedules extending beyond 100 days. These demands, reportedly made through her agency, allegedly caught the director off guard.
Some reports even suggested that her refusal to dub Telugu dialogues was a dealbreaker.
Despite the swirling headlines, Deepika has remained silent. Sources close to the actor, however, have pushed back against the criticism, stating that her requests were not out of line, especially considering her current phase of life as a new mother. The source emphasized that Deepika was simply trying to balance her personal and professional responsibilities.
Triptii Dimri Comes On Board
Amid the uncertainty, Vanga and production house T-Series officially confirmed Triptii Dimri as the new female lead. The announcement came on Saturday, with Vanga sharing the news on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “The female lead for my film is now official :-).” Triptii, who made waves with her performance in Animal, responded with gratitude on Instagram: “Still sinking in…. So grateful to be trusted with this journey.”
This marks her second collaboration with Vanga and her first on-screen pairing with Prabhas.
Plot Leak and Vanga’s Sharp Reaction
Just as things seemed to be settling, a new twist emerged. A report by Pinkvilla revealed alleged plot details, describing Spirit as an A-rated thriller centered around a fierce cop played by Prabhas. The report also hinted at bold scenes between the leads, suggesting that some sequences might be “pushing boundaries.”
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Vanga quickly responded with a sharp message on X, expressing disappointment over the leak and indirectly hinting at Deepika. “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA between us. But by doing this, you’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are… Putting down a younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for?” he wrote.
Though Vanga didn’t name anyone directly, social media was quick to speculate that his post was aimed at Deepika, further fueling the fire.
A Divided Audience
Fans remain divided. While some have criticized Deepika for the alleged leak and questioned the nature of her exit, others have defended her stance, pointing fingers at the production team for portraying her demands as unprofessional. Meanwhile, many are excited to see Triptii Dimri continue her rising trajectory, especially after her breakout role in Animal.
About Spirit Movie
Produced by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures, Spirit movie will feature Prabhas in the role of a tough and intense police officer. The film is currently in pre-production and is expected to begin shooting in 2025. With the new casting in place, fans are eager to see how this collaboration between Prabhas and Triptii Dimri unfolds on the big screen.
