Spirit in Turmoil: Sandeep Reddy Vanga Slams “Dirty PR Games” Amid Deepika Padukone Exit

The upcoming film Spirit, starring Prabhas, has become the center of a growing controversy. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has now publicly expressed his frustration on X, following reports of Deepika Padukone exiting the project.

Though he didn’t name anyone directly, many believe his pointed remarks are aimed at the actor. Triptii Dimri, who previously worked with Vanga in Animal, has replaced Deepika as the female lead.

Initial Casting and Exit Reports

When Spirit was first announced in 2023, there was widespread speculation that Deepika Padukone would star opposite Prabhas. At the time, she was working on Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD with the actor.

However, recent reports claim Deepika opted out due to disagreements involving remuneration and work-hour conditions. She also made a comment about a filmmaker questioning her priorities following her transition into motherhood.

Triptii Dimri Replaces Deepika

Shortly after reports about Deepika’s exit emerged, it was officially confirmed that Triptii Dimri would take on the female lead in Spirit. Triptii shared the news on social media, stating, “Still sinking in… so grateful to be trusted with this journey.”

On the same day, an article by Pinkvilla suggested the film would be an ‘A-rated action’ movie. Until then, it had only been described as a cop action thriller, with no mention of the rating.

Vanga’s Outburst on Social Media

Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga appeared visibly upset with the developments. He took to X to share a long message, expressing disappointment over what he sees as a breach of trust.

“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…” he wrote.

Continuing his post, Vanga added, “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.”

He concluded his message with a Hindi statement: “Aisa karo…. Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha,” and included the phrase, “Khundak mein billi khamba noche,” along with the hashtag #DirtyPRGames.

Triptii’s Role and Vanga’s Intentions

Pinkvilla quoted a source saying Vanga wanted to work with someone comfortable with the script’s content. The director has assured a professional and respectful working environment for Triptii on set.

Bollywood Hungama reported that Triptii would portray a doctor in the film. According to a source, “Triptii Dimri plays the part of a hot doctor who falls in love with Prabhas.”

Deepika’s Subtle Response

While Vanga’s posts did not name Deepika, many interpreted them as being directed at her. Around the same time, Deepika spoke to Vogue Arabia during a Cartier event in Stockholm.

When asked about handling difficult situations, she said, “What keeps me balanced is just being truthful, authentic. Whenever I’m faced with complicated or difficult situations, to be able to listen to my inner voice and just stand by decisions that really give me a lot of peace is when I feel most in equilibrium.”

She also shared memories of being supported by the Cartier team during her pregnancy and motherhood.

Deepika noted that jewellery often holds sentimental value in Indian culture and is passed down through generations or gifted during significant life events.

While both Vanga and Padukone have chosen to speak up indirectly, neither has named the other directly. Whether the controversy surrounding Spirit will de-escalate or continue to unfold remains uncertain.

As of now, Triptii Dimri steps into the spotlight while the off-screen drama surrounding the film continues to attract attention.