Islamabad, May 27, 2025: The director who shook Bollywood with Kabir Singh is now making headlines for something just as dramatic, though offscreen. Sandeep Reddy Vanga has taken to X (formerly Twitter) with a sarcastic post that fans believe is aimed at none other than Deepika Padukone, who recently made a quiet exit from his upcoming film Spirit, which stars Prabhas in the lead.
Though Vanga didn’t name names, his post pulled no blows. “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) 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? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it. Aisa karo…. Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha. #dirtyPRgames I like this kahawath very much” a Hindi proverb implying frustrated lashing out.
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Insiders didn’t need a name to connect the dots. All eyes turned to Deepika Padukone, who was initially signed as the female lead in Spirit.
According to earlier reports, things started to fall apart when Deepika reportedly imposed time limits on shooting schedules, refusing to work more than six hours a day. Sources also claim her agency requested a contract revision to include extra pay if the shoot exceeded 100 days.
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While Deepika has chosen to stay silent, the impact was immediate. T-Series quickly announced that rising star Tripti Dimri, who wowed audiences in Animal will now be headlining Spirit opposite Prabhas. This casting shake-up has since sent the internet into a frenzy.
Despite the controversy, the film remains one of the most talked-about upcoming projects, not only for its star power but now also for the real-life drama surrounding it. With Tripti Dimri officially on board, fans are eager to see what fresh energy she brings to the screen and whether Spirit lives up to its sky-high expectations.
