Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit, starring Prabhas, has been a topic of discussion for some time. While several reasons have been reported regarding her departure, producer Sandeep Pranay Reddy has now spoken about the matter and said that there were multiple factors behind the decision.
According to his recent comments to NDTV Telugu, the reasons included issues that had already been discussed publicly, along with concerns over timing. He also indicated that there were other factors, although he could not recall all of them at the time.
Producer addresses Deepika’s exit
Speaking about Deepika’s departure, Sandeep Pranay Reddy said that the reasons were broadly the same as those already mentioned, including the remuneration and timing.
He suggested that the situation involved more than one issue rather than being the result of a single disagreement.
Earlier reports had claimed that Deepika had been in discussions with the Spirit team for around one-and-a-half years. It was also reported that financial negotiations became an important part of the discussions.
Reports of a 10% profit-sharing demand
One of the major claims surrounding Deepika’s exit was that she had allegedly asked for 10% of the film’s profits.
According to reports, the makers felt that such a demand would make the overall budget difficult to manage. The film is being mounted on a large scale with Prabhas in the lead, and the production team was reportedly concerned about keeping the finances under control.
The makers were also reportedly willing to offer Deepika an additional ₹5–6 crore, but budgetary considerations remained an issue.
However, it is important to note that the reported 10% demand has been part of media reports and has not been independently established as the sole reason for her exit.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s earlier post resurfaces
The controversy surrounding Spirit had earlier intensified after an old social media post by Sandeep Reddy Vanga came back into focus.
In the post, the filmmaker appeared to accuse an actor of revealing details that were supposed to remain confidential after a narration. He referred to an NDA and questioned whether revealing private details represented feminism.
The post sparked considerable debate online, particularly because it came amid reports surrounding the casting changes in Spirit.
Triptii Dimri joins Prabhas in Spirit
Following Deepika’s exit, Triptii Dimri has stepped into the female lead role opposite Prabhas.
Triptii has previously worked with Sandeep Reddy Vanga in Animal, where her performance alongside Ranbir Kapoor attracted significant attention. Her reunion with the filmmaker has therefore generated curiosity among audiences.
After being associated with the project, Triptii expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, thanking Sandeep for trusting her with the journey.
Her casting has also created expectations about what kind of character she will portray opposite Prabhas.
Deepika Padukone has several major projects ahead
Despite her exit from Spirit, Deepika continues to have several major projects in her lineup.
She has previously worked with Siddharth Anand in Fighter, starring opposite Hrithik Roshan, and also appeared in Kalki 2898 AD alongside Prabhas.
She is also set to collaborate with Allu Arjun and director Atlee for another major project, adding another ambitious film to her upcoming slate.
Deepika is also expected to have an important special appearance in Shah Rukh Khan’s King, which is among the highly anticipated films in her upcoming lineup.
The Spirit controversy continues
Deepika’s exit from Spirit has certainly become one of the most discussed casting developments in recent Bollywood. From reports about remuneration and profit sharing to scheduling concerns and creative differences, several explanations have emerged.
The producer’s latest comments suggest that there was not just one reason behind the casting change.
With Triptii Dimri now stepping into the project and Prabhas leading the film, attention has shifted toward what Sandeep Reddy Vanga will ultimately create with the new combination.
For now, the biggest question remains whether Spirit will live up to the enormous expectations surrounding it—and whether Triptii’s reunion with Vanga will create another memorable character after Animal.
