Deepika Padukone’s decision to leave Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Spirit has been a topic of debate for over a year. New details have now surfaced about what really happened between the actress and the director. A source close to the developments has shared exclusive information with Hindustan Times, revealing that Deepika Padukone met Sandeep Reddy Vanga only once in her entire life. The meeting did not go as expected, and the actress never received a full narration of the film. This report offers a fresh perspective on why she chose not to be part of the project starring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri.
The Single Meeting That Changed Everything
According to the source, Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga had only one meeting while discussions about Spirit were taking place. The filmmaker arrived a whole hour late to the meeting. Despite the delay, Deepika handled the rest of the meeting professionally. However, the conversation did not include a detailed narration of the film. Only a one-liner of the film was shared with her. She did not receive a full narration of the film.
The source explained that Deepika Padukone never commits to a project without receiving a full narration. This is her standard practice for choosing films. Because she did not get a complete narration, Spirit was never part of her consideration set to begin with. The source said:
“Deepika Padukone has met Sandeep Reddy Vanga all of once in her life. Not to mention, the filmmaker arrived a whole hour late to the meeting! Deepika took the rest of the meeting professionally. In the meeting, only a one-liner of the film was shared. She didn’t receive a full narration of the film. Deepika never commits to a project without receiving a full narration. So, Spirit was never a part of Deepika’s consideration set to begin with.”
Why Deepika Would Never Work with Sandeep Reddy Vanga
The source also made a strong statement about Deepika Padukone’s stance towards the filmmaker. She reportedly has no interest in collaborating with Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The source cited his misogynistic nature as the primary reason. This nature is evident not only in his off-screen persona but also in his movies. The source added:
“Sandeep Reddy Vanga is the kind of filmmaker Deepika Padukone would never collaborate with, given his misogynist nature: one that is greatly evident not only in his off-screen persona but in his movies too.”
Vanga’s previous films, including Kabir Singh and Animal, have generated considerable debate over their depiction of relationships, masculinity, and women. His filmmaking style has always been under fire for its portrayal of gender dynamics.
The Background of Deepika’s Exit from Spirit
Deepika Padukone was in talks with Sandeep Reddy Vanga for his Prabhas-starrer Spirit last year. In April 2025, it emerged that she had exited the project. At that time, reports suggested that she had asked for a fixed eight-hour workday as a new mother. This demand was reportedly not met by the film’s production. The makers of Kalki 2898 AD also announced her exit from the sequel through a post on X. This sparked online debate about professionalism, work-hour limits, and remuneration in high-budget projects.
Around the same time, Triptii Dimri was reported to have replaced Deepika in Spirit. She had previously worked with Ranbir Kapoor in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal.
The Producer’s Version of Events
The controversy resurfaced recently when Pranay Reddy Vanga, the director’s brother and producer, spoke about the decision to replace Deepika in the Prabhas-led film. In an interview with NTV, he claimed that the discussions involved several factors, including the actor’s remuneration and working hours. He said the final call to move ahead without Deepika was taken by Sandeep. He claimed that the filmmaker had been in conversations with the actress for approximately 18 months and wanted her to play a part in Spirit.
Pranay alleged that Deepika demanded a 10 percent share of the film’s profits. He shared:
“She demanded 10 per cent of the film’s profit. Soon after, everything went overboard. See, she can ask for anything. If we are willing to give, we can give. But the economics (budget) should also work out for us. We thought that it was not working. This is why we thought of other options.”
He also alleged that Deepika leaked confidential story and character details. He said:
“We discussed the story and character with her. Things discussed internally should not be revealed, but she leaked all of them. That is why we are disturbed.”
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Social Media Response
The controversy intensified after reports emerged about the film’s plot and an alleged ‘A-Rated Action’ element. Sandeep later expressed his displeasure on X without naming the person he was referring to. He claimed that details he had discussed with an actor in confidence had been disclosed publicly. In May 2025, 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…. Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for?”
What This Means for the Film
Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri, is scheduled to release in March 2027. The film is set to hit theaters on March 5, 2027 in eight languages. With Triptii Dimri officially replacing Deepika as the female lead, the project is moving forward. Deepika Padukone, on the other hand, continues to focus on her other projects and her responsibilities as a new mother.
Also Read: Deepika Padukone’s ‘Spirit’ Exit: Producer Says 10% Profit Demand Led to Casting Change
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