Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga recently made headlines with his honest and surprising comments about two of the most awaited Indian films. While promoting the upcoming movie Romanchakam in Hyderabad, Vanga openly admitted that SS Rajamouli‘s Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, is a bigger film than his own project Spirit, which features Prabhas in the lead role. The director also confirmed that Spirit will receive an ‘A’ certificate and shared updates about its release plans.
The Press Conference Where Vanga Made the Statement
At a press conference held in Hyderabad, Sandeep Reddy Vanga was speaking to reporters about Romanchakam, a film produced by his brother Pranay Reddy Vanga‘s banner Bhadrakali Pictures. During the interaction, the conversation naturally turned to his upcoming directorial Spirit and its release date.
A reporter pointed out that Spirit is scheduled to release on March 5, 2027, while SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi will arrive in theatres in April 2027. When the reporter referred to both films as potential ₹1,000-crore box office projects, Vanga quickly stepped in to correct the comparison.
“Aa film inka peddadi andi (That film is bigger),” Sandeep Reddy Vanga said, while gesturing to indicate that Varanasi is on a larger scale.
This statement grabbed immediate attention because it came from a director who is known for his bold and confident personality. His honest acknowledgment of Rajamouli’s film showed a rare moment of humility and respect for another filmmaker’s vision.
The 37-Day Gap Between Two Big Films
One of the major talking points from the press conference was the release gap between Spirit and Varanasi. With just over a month separating the two films, reporters asked Sandeep Reddy Vanga whether this window would be enough for Spirit to perform well at the box office.
The director remained confident about the timeline. He said, “It will be enough, we have around 37 days. I am thinking it should be enough”.
When a reporter continued to press him about the possibility of a clash, Vanga responded with his characteristic humour. He joked, “Okay, we’ll shift the date. What? (laughs) Is that what you want to hear? Nothing like that, it’ll be enough”.
His lighthearted response put to rest any concerns about the two films competing for audience attention. The 37-day gap gives Spirit enough time to make its mark before Rajamouli’s magnum opus arrives in theatres.
Spirit Will Receive an ‘A’ Certificate
Sandeep Reddy Vanga also addressed the certification status of Spirit during the press conference. The director, known for intense films like Arjun Reddy and Animal, confirmed that Spirit will receive an ‘A’ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
When asked about this, Vanga said, “Spirit will be censored with an A. No matter how hard we try, they will give an A certificate”.
The filmmaker explained that the film’s violent and intense content makes an adult rating expected. He noted that while Romanchakam marks his production house’s first ‘U/A’ film, Spirit will continue his pattern of adult-oriented storytelling.
“It will be an A-rated film. The story demands that level of intensity and violence, so the certification should not come as a surprise to anyone,” Vanga said during the media interaction.
Spirit features Prabhas in his first-ever role as a police officer, and the film explores a darker and more intense side of the actor.
Production Status of Spirit
Sandeep Reddy Vanga shared an important update about the production of Spirit. He revealed that approximately half of the filming has been completed.
The project is being produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar under T-Series Films, in collaboration with Pranay Reddy Vanga and Prabhakar Reddy Vanga under Bhadrakali Pictures.
The film stars Prabhas, Triptii Dimri, and Vivek Oberoi in lead roles. Earlier reports had suggested that Korean action star Don Lee would be part of the cast, but producer Pranay Reddy Vanga recently shut down those rumours. There were also speculations about Prakash Raj being involved, but he will not appear in the film.
Vanga’s Praise for Prabhas
During the press interaction, Sandeep Reddy Vanga also spoke about his collaboration with Prabhas and the actor’s massive popularity. The filmmaker has previously referred to Prabhas as “India’s biggest superstar,” and he reiterated that during the event.
“Not just my feeling, but most people feel that… Prabhas is INDIA’S BIGGEST SUPERSTAR,” Vanga said.
The combination of Prabhas and Sandeep Reddy Vanga has generated huge excitement among fans. The director is known for his intense storytelling style, and Prabhas is one of the biggest stars in Indian cinema. Their collaboration is expected to create something special for audiences.
All About Varanasi
Varanasi is directed by SS Rajamouli, who co-wrote the film with his father V. Vijayendra Prasad and cousin SS Kanchi. The film is produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business.
The movie features Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in lead roles. Varanasi is scheduled for release on April 7, 2027.
Rajamouli has previously shared that the film’s story travels across continents and centuries, with the core being an emotional father-son angle. The filmmaker also confirmed that around 80 per cent of the shoot has been completed.
The film marks Priyanka Chopra Jonas‘s return to Indian cinema after a gap of eight years. With Rajamouli’s track record of delivering massive blockbusters like Baahubali and RRR, expectations for Varanasi are sky-high.
Both Films Among the Most Awaited Projects
Both Spirit and Varanasi are among the most anticipated Indian films lined up for release. They feature some of the biggest names in the industry and are expected to arrive on a massive scale.
Spirit brings Sandeep Reddy Vanga back to T-Series after their successful collaboration on Animal in 2023. The film has also been in the news over casting changes, with Deepika Padukone reportedly leaving the project following differences. Triptii Dimri, who worked with Vanga in Animal, later joined the cast.
Varanasi, on the other hand, marks SS Rajamouli‘s first collaboration with Mahesh Babu. The film is being shot in multiple locations, including Africa, and is expected to feature visuals that even IMAX frames could not contain. The release of Varanasi in 2027 is timed to the IMAX theater returning to Hyderabad.
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What This Means for Indian Cinema
Sandeep Reddy Vanga‘s honest comments about Varanasi being a bigger film than Spirit show his respect for SS Rajamouli‘s vision. Despite being a director known for his bold and unfiltered style, Vanga did not hesitate to acknowledge the scale and ambition of Rajamouli’s project.
The 37-day gap between the two releases gives both films enough breathing room to perform well at the box office. With Spirit arriving in March 2027 and Varanasi following in April, audiences have two major cinematic events to look forward to in the same year.
Both films are currently in production, with Spirit halfway through filming and Varanasi approximately 80 per cent complete. As these projects move through their production cycles, they remain among the most discussed upcoming titles in the industry.
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