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Pranay Reddy Vanga, brother of director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and producer of Spirit, stated in an interview with NTV that Deepika Padukone's exit from the Prabhas-led film was driven by disagreements over shooting schedules, and a request for 10 percent of the film's post-release profits. He shared that the disagreements eventually made the collaboration not feasible financially, leading to the actor's exit. Deepika Padukone has not responded to the claims.
"The reason is the same as what was already mentioned. One was remuneration, the second was timing. Apart from that, there are some other reasons too," Pranay explained.
He also disclosed that the profit-sharing demand was an additional reason. "She demanded 10 per cent of the film's profit. Soon after, everything went overboard. See, she can ask for anything. If we are willing to give, we can give. But the economics should also work out for us. We thought that it was not working. This is why we thought of other options. Once we started looking for other options, they started leaking everything," Pranay said.
Pranay also alleged that once the production began looking at other casting options, details about the film's story and Deepika's character began appearing in the media. The allegation was consistent with the cryptic social media post Sandeep Reddy Vanga had made earlier, in which he accused an unnamed actor of leaking story details he had shared in confidence during the narration process. "Once we started looking at other options, a lot of intricate details which we discussed for over a year started circulating. That's where he got pissed off."
Late last year, while rumours circulated regarding the reason for Padukone's exit, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) without naming Padukone directly. Vanga shared a pointed message suggesting that details about the project had been leaked in an effort to discredit Dimri. “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA between us,” he wrote. “But by doing this, you’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are.”
Deepika Padukone was reportedly associated with Spirit for over a year, during which time Vanga narrated the story and developed the character for her. Following her exit, Triptii Dimri, who also starred in Vanga's Animal (2023), has since been confirmed as the female lead opposite Prabhas.
Written, edited and directed by Vanga, the film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Pranay Reddy Vanga, Krishan Kumar, and Prabhakar Reddy Vanga. Prabhas and Vivek Oberoi are also part of the cast. The film is scheduled for a March 5, 2027 worldwide theatrical release.