In a surprising turn of events, Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has reportedly parted ways with the highly anticipated film Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Telugu cinema icon Prabhas. The news marks a significant shift for the pan-India action thriller, which was poised to be a major cinematic event. With Padukone’s exit, the Spirit team is now actively seeking a new leading lady to share the screen with the Baahubali star, leaving fans and industry insiders buzzing with speculation.

A High-Profile Collaboration That Was Not to Be

Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga—known for his intense and commercially successful films like Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh, and Animal—was set to be a landmark project uniting two of India’s biggest stars, Deepika Padukone and Prabhas. The film, billed as a high-octane cop action drama, had generated immense excitement due to the duo’s previous collaboration in the 2024 sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD. Reports had earlier confirmed that Padukone was drawn to the project for its well-crafted female lead role, described as one of the most nuanced and substantial characters in Vanga’s filmography.

However, according to recent developments, Padukone has exited the project. Sources close to the production suggest that creative differences, particularly regarding working styles, may have contributed to the decision. One report indicated that Vanga was displeased with certain demands, including Padukone’s preference for limited filming hours and reluctance to deliver Telugu dialogue, which reportedly clashed with the director’s vision for the project. While neither Padukone nor the Spirit team has issued an official statement confirming the reasons for her departure, the news has sparked widespread discussion across social media and industry circles.

The Search for a New Leading Lady

With Padukone’s exit, Sandeep Reddy Vanga and producers T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures are now on the hunt for a new actress to fill the pivotal role. The character, previously tailored for Padukone, is said to be a layered and dynamic part, designed to stand out in Vanga’s signature storytelling style, which often blends intense drama with complex character arcs. The casting process is expected to be rigorous, as the filmmakers aim to find an actress capable of matching Prabhas’ star power and delivering a performance that complements the film’s ambitious scope. The search for the right actress is critical, as Spirit is being positioned as a “pakka commercial entertainer” aimed at a pan-India and global audience, with a release planned for the first half of 2027.

Spirit: A Project with High Stakes

Spirit remains one of the most anticipated films in Indian cinema, driven by the combined star power of Prabhas and Vanga’s reputation for delivering box-office juggernauts. The film, which marks Prabhas’ 25th project, will feature him as a fierce and honest police officer, a role that aligns with Vanga’s penchant for crafting emotionally complex protagonists. With a reported budget of ₹300 crore, the project is being mounted on a grand scale, with plans for a multilingual release and filming in locations like Thailand, potentially involving a drug mafia backdrop.

Producer Bhushan Kumar has indicated that Spirit is a priority for T-Series, with filming expected to commence in October 2025, following delays caused by Prabhas’ prior commitments and an injury sustained during the shooting of another project, Fauji. The film’s timeline has been adjusted to accommodate these changes, and Vanga has reportedly spent significant time refining the script to ensure it delivers a genre-defining action experience.

Deepika Padukone’s Next Moves

Padukone’s departure from Spirit comes at a time when the actress is balancing her professional commitments with her new role as a mother to her daughter, Dua. Despite stepping away from this project, her schedule remains packed through 2026. She is confirmed to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Siddharth Anand’s King, with filming set to begin soon, and is also in talks for another mega-budget feature film. Additionally, Padukone is gearing up for Kalki 2 and Pathaan 2, both slated to begin production in late 2026 or early 2027. Her recent appearance in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again further cements her status as one of Bollywood’s most bankable and versatile stars.

What Lies Ahead for Spirit?

The exit of Deepika Padukone is undoubtedly a setback for Spirit, given the excitement surrounding her casting and the reported ₹20 crore paycheck that positioned her among India’s highest-paid actresses. However, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s track record of delivering bold, commercially successful films suggests that Spirit will remain a hotly anticipated project. The search for a new leading lady is now underway, and fans are eager to see who will step into the role to join Prabhas in this high-stakes actioner.

As the Spirit team navigates this casting change, the film continues to generate buzz for its promise of a “quintessential hero vs. villain” narrative, infused with Vanga’s signature intensity and Prabhas’ larger-than-life screen presence. With production set to move forward, all eyes are on the next announcement regarding the new female lead, which could redefine the film’s trajectory and further elevate its status as a cinematic spectacle.

Stay tuned for updates as Spirit continues to take shape, with the industry and audiences alike awaiting the next chapter in this ambitious project.