Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit, starring pan-Indian superstar Prabhas, has been making headlines even before it hits the floors. The action-packed thriller is expected to be a high-stakes entertainer, featuring Prabhas in the role of an intense, no-nonsense cop—a character arc that blends Vanga’s signature raw emotional style with mass commercial appeal.
However, the film has faced turbulence, particularly around the casting of the female lead. Bollywood A-lister Deepika Padukone was reportedly the top choice for the role, but talks fell through due to her alleged demands.
According to industry insiders, Deeepika Padukone is said to have requested:
1) A remuneration package between Rs 20–25 crore
2) A team of 26 personal staff
3) Luxury accommodation for all team members
4) A private jet for travel from Mumbai to the shooting location
Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for his uncompromising creative style as seen in Arjun Reddy and Animal, reportedly declined these conditions. With the production already facing budgetary and logistical challenges, including securing schedules and financing, the director is now scouting for more practical casting alternatives.
This is where Kannada actress Rukmini Vasanth enters the picture. Buzz in the industry suggests she is being seriously considered for the lead opposite Prabhas. Known for her performances in “Sapta Sagaradaache Ello” and other critically acclaimed Kannada films, Rukmini brings talent, freshness, and affordability to the table. With a relatively modest fee of around Rs 2 crore and flexible availability, she has become an attractive option for the production team.
Moreover, she reportedly has no extravagant demands—something that aligns well with Vanga’s desire to maintain control over production dynamics.
If finalized, “Spirit” could be Rukmini Vasanth’s launchpad into pan-Indian stardom, catapulting her to national recognition.
For Sandeep Reddy Vanga, “Spirit” is one of his most ambitious projects to date. As part of his multi-film collaboration with T-Series, the film was announced with high expectations following the massive success of Animal. However, Spirit has encountered several issues:
1) Budget pressures due to the scale of the film and Prabhas’s pan-India appeal
2) Casting complications, including the fallout with Deepika Padukone
3) Tight timelines, as Prabhas is simultaneously juggling multiple big-budget films including Kalki 2898 AD and Salaar sequels
4) Creative pressure, as expectations are sky-high after Vanga’s back-to-back successes
Despite the challenges, fans remain excited about the collaboration between Prabhas and Vanga, hoping “Spirit” delivers another landmark performance in Indian cinema.