In a surprising turn of events, Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has reportedly exited from the much-hyped pan-India film Spirit, helmed by Animal and Kabir Singh director Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The film stars Baahubali actor Prabhas in the lead and was touted to be one of the biggest collaborations of the year.
According to leading Telugu entertainment portals like Gulte and GreatAndhra, Deepika was removed from the project following multiple disagreements with the filmmaker. Sources close to the production allege that the actress made a series of demands that were not in sync with the production team’s expectations.
Why Was Deepika Padukone Removed From Spirit?
Insiders claim that Deepika demanded an 8-hour workday, which reportedly translated to around 6 hours of actual shoot time, a structure that did not align with Vanga’s intensive shooting schedules. Adding to that, she allegedly sought a record-breaking Rs 20 crore fee and a share in the film’s profits.
Further complicating matters, reports suggest that Deepika refused to perform her dialogues in Telugu, a non-negotiable aspect for the multilingual release.
These factors combined reportedly frustrated Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who is now said to be on the lookout for a new female lead. Despite being one of the most anticipated projects in Indian cinema, Spirit is now facing delays due to this unexpected development.
Earlier this year, Pinkvilla had reported that Deepika’s initial hesitation was due to her pregnancy and scheduling issues. However, once the timelines were adjusted, she was believed to have rejoined the cast. These latest developments now suggest that the casting was far from final.
What’s Next for Spirit and Deepika?
While the casting shake-up has yet to be officially confirmed, fans are buzzing with speculation on who will replace Deepika in the film. With Spirit aiming for a global release, expectations remain sky-high, and producers are reportedly eager to lock in a new actress soon.
Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone is already busy with several major projects. After Jawan and Kalki 2898 AD, she is rumoured to appear in:
- The sequel to Kalki 2898 AD
- Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War
- Shah Rukh Khan’s much-anticipated project King
Neither Deepika nor Vanga has commented on the controversy yet, but the news has already sparked debates across social media and fan forums.
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