Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who previously delivered blockbusters like Kabir Singh and Animal, is currently gearing up for his next ambitious project Spirit, starring Prabhas in the lead role. However, the film has now found itself in the spotlight for casting-related buzz, as reports claim that Deepika Padukone is no longer part of the project.According to multiple Telugu entertainment outlets including Gulte and GreatAndhra, Deepika was dropped from the film following ongoing issues between her and the filmmaker. The actress reportedly made several demands that insiders have described as “unprofessional.”Demands that caused frictionSources claim Deepika requested an 8-hour workday, which effectively amounted to only 6 hours of actual shoot time. Matters intensified when she allegedly asked for a massive fee of Rs 20 crore—her highest yet—along with a share in the film’s profits. Additionally, reports state that Deepika refused to deliver her lines in Telugu, which was a key requirement for the role.These issues allegedly led to growing frustration for Vanga, who eventually decided to part ways with the actress. The director is now said to be actively looking for a replacement for the female lead.Earlier reports had attributed the delay in Spirit’s shoot to Deepika’s pregnancy, with the actress initially stepping away from the film due to scheduling conflicts. However, after Vanga reportedly returned with revised shoot dates, Deepika was said to have signed on again.
No official word yetAs of now, neither Deepika Padukone nor Sandeep Reddy Vanga has issued any official statement regarding her exit from the film. However, the reports have created a buzz online, especially given the high-profile nature of the project and Deepika’s recent success with films like Jawan and Kalki 2898 AD.The actress, who is currently expecting her first child with husband Ranveer Singh, is reportedly part of Kalki 2898 AD’s sequel and is also rumoured to star in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War and Shah Rukh Khan’s next, King.
