Deepika Padukone Exits Prabhas, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit: Producer Explains

Deepika Padukone’s departure from the upcoming film Spirit, starring Prabhas and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, has been a topic of speculation for over a year. Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who previously helmed hits like Arjun Reddy and Animal, is directing Spirit, which is set for a March 2027 release.

Producer Pranay Reddy Vanga recently addressed the reasons behind Deepika’s removal from the project. According to Pranay, Deepika was involved with Spirit for more than a year and showed strong interest in both the script and her character. However, disagreements reportedly arose during negotiations over commercial terms and the working schedule. Pranay stated that Deepika’s team requested a 10 percent share in the film’s profits in addition to her standard remuneration, and there were also differences regarding the shooting schedule and working hours.

Pranay confirmed, “She was removed from the project because of her high remuneration demand and the working timings.” He clarified that the decision to replace Deepika was ultimately made by director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Deepika has not publicly commented on the specific claim about the profit share, but she has previously indicated her willingness to leave projects if compensation does not meet her expectations.

Following Deepika’s exit, Triptii Dimri was brought in as the new female lead opposite Prabhas. Spirit, produced by Pranay Reddy Vanga, continues to generate buzz as Prabhas takes on the role of a cop. Earlier this year, this outlet reported that Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s directorial choices have been closely watched after the success of his previous films. Spirit is currently on track for its scheduled release in March 2027.