Prabhas' Film Spirit Sparks Controversy: Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga Takes a Dig at “Dirty PR Games”

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit, starring Prabhas, has found itself at the center of an unexpected controversy. The filmmaker recently took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his discontent with an unnamed individual, accusing them of lacking professionalism and indulging in what he termed “dirty PR games.”

While Vanga didn’t reveal any names, fans and industry watchers have connected his statements to the recent buzz around Spirit, particularly involving Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone.

Deepika Padukone’s Exit from Spirit

Back in 2023, when Spirit was first announced, it was heavily speculated that Deepika Padukone, who was already working alongside Prabhas in Kalki 2898 AD, , would also star opposite him in Spirit. However, recent reports indicate that Deepika has exited the project due to multiple undisclosed issues.

Rumors suggested that Deepika demanded a substantial remuneration and placed specific conditions regarding her shooting schedule. Additionally, her recent comments about a filmmaker questioning her professional choices post-motherhood have further fueled speculation.

Triptii Dimri Joins the Cast

Following Deepika’s exit, it was confirmed that Triptii Dimri—who earned acclaim for her role in Animal, also directed by Vanga—would be stepping in as the female lead. Triptii confirmed the news via social media, writing, “Still sinking in… so grateful to be trusted with this journey.”

Director Vanga Breaks His Silence

Amid the casting change, a fresh controversy erupted after Pinkvilla reported that Spirit would feature an “A-rated action” angle—an aspect that had not been officially disclosed by the filmmakers. This revelation seemingly upset Vanga, prompting him to share a cryptic yet intense post on X.

He wrote:

“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…”

Though Vanga refrained from naming anyone, he further criticized the unnamed individual, implying they disrespected a younger actor and his creative work.

“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 into my craft. For me, filmmaking is everything. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it.”

He concluded the note with a Hindi phrase:

“Aisa karo… Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha.”

(Translation: “Do this… Next time, tell the whole story… because I honestly don’t care.”)

He also added the hashtag #DirtyPRGames, making his displeasure clear.

What to Expect from Spirit

According to industry sources cited by Pinkvilla, Spirit is shaping up to be a bold cop-action thriller. Triptii Dimri will reportedly play the role of a glamorous doctor who falls in love with Prabhas’ character.

Insiders close to the production revealed that Vanga wanted to work with an actress who felt at ease with the bold and intense nature of the script. He was also focused on maintaining a respectful and professional atmosphere during filming.

Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone has remained silent about the reports of her exit or Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s recent remarks.