Mumbai: Triptii Dimri has officially been announced as the female lead in Spirit, directed by Animal filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Prabhas. The casting was confirmed via social media, ending weeks of speculation following Deepika Padukone’s reported departure from the project.
Triptii shared the film’s multilingual title poster on Saturday, accompanied by a heartfelt message. “Still sinking in… So grateful to be trusted with this journey. Thank you @sandeepreddy.vanga… Honoured to be a part of your vision,” she wrote.
Vanga echoed the excitement, welcoming her with a post that read, “The female lead for my film is now official :-)”.
Deepika Padukone’s Exit Over Remuneration and Scheduling Issues
According to industry reports, Deepika Padukone stepped away from the project due to creative and logistical differences. The Padmaavat actress allegedly demanded a fee exceeding ₹20 crore, in addition to a more flexible shooting schedule to accommodate her responsibilities as a new mother. These conditions reportedly conflicted with Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s structured approach and cinematic expectations for Spirit.
In contrast, Triptii Dimri is reportedly being compensated around ₹4 crore for the role, according to Telugu 360. Although the figure remains unconfirmed officially, it reflects a considerable gap compared to Deepika’s alleged demands. Having previously worked with Vanga in Animal, Triptii’s established rapport with the director may have been a decisive factor in her selection.
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Vanga’s Cryptic Post Targets ‘Dirty PR Games’
The casting shuffle took a dramatic turn when Sandeep Reddy Vanga posted a cryptic but pointed message on Twitter, widely interpreted as a response to Deepika’s exit. Without naming her directly, he wrote, “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith… You’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are… Putting down a younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for?” He further accused the unnamed actress of indulging in “#dirtyPRgames” and emphasized his deep commitment to filmmaking.
A Career-Defining Moment for Triptii Dimri
Triptii’s selection for Spirit marks a significant milestone in her career. Riding high on the success of Animal, she is quickly emerging as one of the most promising talents in Hindi cinema. Her pairing with pan-India star Prabhas has already ignited interest and anticipation among fans.
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Meanwhile, Deepika Padukone continues to be linked with several high-profile projects. She is reportedly in advanced talks to star in Allu Arjun’s upcoming film with director Atlee and is expected to return in the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD. She is also rumored to be part of Shah Rukh Khan’s next venture, King, although no official confirmations have been made yet.
