Deepika Padukone exited 'Spirit' due to bold content, violent scenes? 'Animal' director's next to be 'A-rated'

Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who’s known for polarising projects like Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh, and Animal, is once again making headlines with his next directorial, Spirit. Starring Prabhas in the lead, the film was initially set to feature Deepika Padukone as the female lead. However, she eventually stepped away from the project.

In a candid update by Pinkvilla, sources revealed that Spirit is being designed as an intense cop-based action thriller with an ‘A-rated’ treatment. It will reportedly carry bold sequences and violent action, diverging from typical commercial Telugu cinema while still retaining larger-than-life elements. Triptii Dimri, who was last seen in Animal, has now come on board as the female lead.

While Deepika’s exit sparked several rumours, a source close to the development said, “Sandeep Reddy Vanga wanted an actress who would be comfortable with the scenes already written. He assured a professional environment on set, and Triptii has agreed to the requirements.” The same scenes were discussed with Deepika, who had initially suggested reducing certain bold or violent moments. However, it seems creative differences, combined with logistical and financial discussions, led to her decision to step away.

Deepika, who recently appeared in Kalki 2898 AD and is embracing motherhood, has been selective with her scripts. At one point, she was not inclined to join Spirit due to her personal commitments. But when the film faced delays, discussions restarted, and she was briefly attached to the film.

Sources suggest the actress requested a remuneration of ?40 crore, while the producers were willing to offer ?20 crore. She also wanted a fixed schedule to accommodate her personal life, something the makers reportedly couldn’t confirm. These concerns, paired with the film’s intense content, may have contributed to her final decision to part ways.

Now, with Triptii Dimri confirmed and pre-production in full swing, Spirit is scheduled to begin shooting in October 2025. The film is planned as a “Pan-World” release, set to premiere in nine languages. Talks are ongoing with Korean actor Ma Dong-seok for a pivotal role. If all goes as planned, Spirit will hit theatres in 2027.