Speculation is rife in Tollywood circles regarding the casting of Prabhas' highly anticipated pan-world film, "Spirit," directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. While Deepika Padukone was initially slated to play the female lead, recent reports from several Telugu outlets suggest a significant change: Deepika may no longer be part of the project.
Sources close to the production claim that director Vanga reportedly opted to remove Deepika from the film due to alleged "unprofessional demands" and repeated clashes. Among the reported points of contention were Deepika's alleged request for an 8-hour workday, which reportedly translated to only about 6 hours of actual shoot time. Furthermore, it's claimed she sought a substantial remuneration, including a percentage of the film's profits, and purportedly refused to deliver her dialogues in Telugu.
These reports indicate that Deepika was set to receive her largest paycheck to date for "Spirit," with an alleged fee of ₹20 crore. However, her reported stance on various aspects of the shoot seemingly led to frustration on Vanga's part, culminating in the decision to part ways. It's now rumored that the director is actively scouting for a replacement.
Interestingly, earlier reports by Pinkvilla had cited Deepika's pregnancy as a reason for delays in "Spirit's" shoot, which was initially scheduled to begin in late 2024. Despite initial scheduling conflicts that led to her declining the role, the director reportedly re-approached her with revised timelines, after which she had apparently signed on.
Deepika Padukone was last seen in "Jawan" and "Kalki 2898 AD." While her upcoming projects haven't been officially announced, she is rumored to be part of "Kalki's" sequel and potentially in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Love & War" and "King."
As of now, neither Deepika Padukone nor Sandeep Reddy Vanga has officially commented on these reports. However, the unexpected casting update has already generated considerable discussion online, leaving fans eager for official confirmation.
