The Spirit controversy surrounding Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film has returned to the spotlight after fresh comments from producer Pranay Reddy Vanga. The filmmaker’s brother has now spoken about the circumstances that led to the actress no longer being part of the Prabhas-starrer.
Deepika Padukone was initially reported to be the female lead in Spirit, but she was later replaced by Triptii Dimri. Several explanations had emerged around the casting change, including disagreements over remuneration and working hours.
Now, Pranay Reddy Vanga has claimed that the disagreement involved several factors and was not limited to a single issue. According to him, remuneration, timings and other demands eventually made the collaboration difficult for the makers.
Deepika Padukone Reportedly Asked for 10% Profit Share
One of the biggest revelations in the latest Spirit controversy concerns an alleged demand for a share of the film's profits.
Speaking to NTV Telugu, Pranay Reddy Vanga claimed that Deepika Padukone's negotiations eventually included a demand for 10% of the film's post-release net income. He suggested that her recent box-office successes influenced the financial expectations during discussions.
Pranay said the makers had been negotiating with Deepika for around one to one-and-a-half years. However, according to his account, the financial equation changed over time as some of the actress's films performed successfully.
He also made it clear that actors are free to make their demands, but the producers have to decide whether those terms are financially workable for a particular project.
Working Hours Were Also Part of the Disagreement
The Spirit controversy had previously centred heavily on Deepika Padukone's reported demand for an eight-hour working schedule.
Pranay Reddy Vanga confirmed that timings were one of the issues discussed during negotiations. He said remuneration was one factor and working hours were another, while also pointing to additional reasons that contributed to the eventual decision.
The discussion over working hours became particularly controversial because Deepika had publicly spoken about the importance of an eight-hour workday. She had argued that male actors have worked within similar schedules for years and questioned why such expectations become controversial when a female actor raises them.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga Took the Final Call
According to Pranay Reddy Vanga, the decision to move away from Deepika Padukone was ultimately taken by director Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
Pranay explained that Sandeep had been interested in casting Deepika and had spent a considerable amount of time discussing the project with her. However, as negotiations progressed and circumstances changed, the director eventually decided that the collaboration was no longer workable.
This detail is significant because it indicates that the casting change was not simply a routine replacement. The director himself reportedly decided to explore other options after the discussions failed to reach an agreement.
Allegations of Confidential Details Being Leaked
Another major element of the latest Spirit controversy involves the alleged circulation of private discussions about the project.
Pranay Reddy Vanga claimed that once the team began considering alternative casting options, several intricate details from their discussions started appearing publicly. According to him, these conversations had taken place over more than a year.
He suggested that the circulation of such details particularly upset Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The director reportedly felt that confidential conversations surrounding a film should remain private until the makers themselves were ready to reveal them.
Sandeep’s ‘Dirty PR Games’ Post Added Fuel
The dispute became much more public in 2025 after Sandeep Reddy Vanga shared a strongly worded post on social media referring to “dirty PR games.”
Although Deepika Padukone was not named directly in that post, the timing led to widespread speculation that the comments were connected to the casting dispute surrounding Spirit.
Sandeep referred to an understanding between filmmakers and actors regarding confidentiality and accused an unnamed person of sharing details about the project. The post intensified the public debate over why Deepika had left the film.
A day later, Triptii Dimri was announced as the female lead of Spirit.
Triptii Dimri Replaced Deepika
Following Deepika Padukone's departure, Triptii Dimri was brought into the project opposite Prabhas. Her casting added another major talking point to Spirit, particularly after her growing popularity following Animal.
The film is now being positioned around Prabhas and Triptii, with Sandeep Reddy Vanga directing. The project is expected to be a large-scale action thriller with an international appeal.
The change in casting means that Deepika's earlier association with the film is now part of its pre-release history rather than its confirmed cast.
Prabhas Leads Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit
Spirit marks the first collaboration between Prabhas and Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The film has generated considerable anticipation because of the combination of the Baahubali star and the director behind Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh and Animal.
The story is expected to revolve around a police officer, with Prabhas taking on a reportedly intense role. The film is being mounted as a pan-world project and is planned for release in multiple languages.
The makers have also confirmed that Spirit remains scheduled for a March 5, 2027 release despite recent speculation about a possible delay.
Why the Spirit Controversy Continues to Attract Attention
The Spirit controversy continues to generate discussion because it combines several sensitive issues in the film industry: actor remuneration, working hours, profit sharing, confidentiality and public relations.
Deepika Padukone has previously addressed the eight-hour workday debate, while the latest claims have come from Pranay Reddy Vanga. The competing narratives have kept the casting change in the news long after Deepika's exit was announced.
It is important to note that the latest allegations regarding the 10% profit demand and leaked details are claims made by Pranay Reddy Vanga. Deepika Padukone has not, in the sources reviewed here, independently confirmed those specific allegations.
Spirit Moves Ahead Without Deepika
Despite the controversy surrounding its casting history, Spirit is moving ahead with Prabhas and Triptii Dimri. The film remains one of the most anticipated projects in Indian cinema, particularly because of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's involvement.
For the makers, the focus is now likely to remain on completing production and delivering the large-scale action thriller they have planned.
For audiences, however, the story of Deepika Padukone's exit remains an intriguing part of the film's journey.
What the Latest Revelation Means
The latest comments from Pranay Reddy Vanga add another layer to the Spirit controversy. Earlier discussions had largely focused on Deepika Padukone's reported working-hour expectations, but the producer has now claimed that financial negotiations and other factors also played a role.
His allegation that Deepika sought a 10% share of post-release profits, along with his claims about confidential discussions being circulated publicly, provides the makers' side of the story.
However, these remain allegations from one side of a disputed casting episode. With Deepika no longer part of the film and Triptii Dimri now confirmed as the female lead, the controversy may eventually become secondary to the film itself.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on Spirit, Prabhas and Sandeep Reddy Vanga as the project moves towards its scheduled 2027 release.
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