Actor Deepika Padukone’s choice to exit Spirit in April 2025 has resurfaced in August 2026, with a supply near the developments saying she met director Sandeep Reddy Vanga solely as soon as, didn’t obtain a full narration, and would by no means work with him. The row across the Prabhas-starrer flared up once more this week after producer Pranay Reddy Vanga claimed that one of many causes for her exit was a requirement for revenue share.
Deepika by no means severely thought-about the movie, as reported by Hindustan Instances, citing a supply near the developments.
The supply stated, “Deepika Padukone has met Sandeep Reddy Vanga all of as soon as in her life. To not point out, the filmmaker arrived a complete hour late to the assembly! Deepika took the remainder of the assembly professionally.”
“Within the assembly, solely a one-liner of the movie was shared. She didn’t obtain a full narration of the movie. Deepika by no means commits to a venture with out receiving a full narration. So, Spirit was by no means part of Deepika’s consideration set to start with,” the supply added.
The supply additionally highlighted that Deepika has no inclination to work with the filmmaker, including, “Sandeep Reddy Vanga is the sort of filmmaker Deepika Padukone would by no means collaborate with, given his misogynist nature — one that’s evident not solely in his off-screen persona however in his motion pictures too.”
Deepika was in talks with Sandeep for Spirit that includes Prabhas final 12 months. In April, it emerged that she had exited the venture. She had reportedly requested for a hard and fast eight-hour workday as a brand new mom, a requirement that was not met by the movie’s manufacturing.
The producers of Kalki 2898 AD also announced her exit from the sequel by a put up on X, sparking on-line debate round professionalism, work-hour limits and remuneration in high-budget initiatives.
After studies emerged that Triptii Dimri would exchange Deepika in Spirit, it was additionally claimed that Deepika left the movie as a result of she was uncomfortable with sure intimate scenes.
At that time, Sandeep shared an angry message on X, seemingly directed at Deepika. He wrote in Could 2025, “After I narrate a narrative to an actor, I place 100% religion. There’s an unsaid NDA (Non-Disclosure Settlement) between us. However by doing this, you’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the particular person that you’re…. Placing down a Youthful actor and ousting my story? Is that this what your feminism stands for (sic)?”
The controversy erupted once more this previous week after Pranay, Sandeep’s brother, stated one of many causes for Deepika’s exit was her demand for a 10% profit share in the film. Talking with NTV Telugu, Pranay Reddy Vanga stated, “The reason being the identical as what was already talked about. One was remuneration, the second was timing. Aside from that, there are another causes, too. Quickly after, every part went overboard.”
“See, she will be able to ask for something. If we’re keen to present, we may give. However the economics also needs to work out for us. We thought that it was not working. For this reason we considered different choices. As soon as we began in search of different choices, they began leaking every part,” he added.
On Friday, Deepika appreciated a put up on Instagram that criticised Sandeep and Pranay for his or her stance and praised the actor for asking for “what men routinely get” in the industry. The change added recent consideration to a difficulty that had already triggered wider dialogue within the business.
Triptii was ultimately solid because the movie’s feminine lead reverse Prabhas, and the primary look that includes the 2 actors was unveiled on New 12 months’s Day 2026. The movie additionally options actors Vivek Oberoi and is about for a theatrical launch on March 5, 2027.
Deepika, in the meantime, has King with Shah Rukh Khan lined up for launch in December, adopted by Atlee’s Raaka reverse Allu Arjun subsequent 12 months.
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