‘Spirit’ Controversy: Deepika Padukone Demanded 10 Per Cent Profit Share, Leaked Film Details, Alleges Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Brother Pranay (Watch Video)
Deepika Padukone reportedly exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit following a breakdown in contract negotiations over financial and operational terms. According to producer Pranay Reddy Vanga, the decision came after the actress demanded a 10 percent profit share alongside strict work schedules.
In a recent interview, film producer Pranay Reddy Vanga revealed new details regarding actress Deepika Padukone’s exit from director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming action drama Spirit. Pranay alleged that negotiations collapsed after Padukone demanded a 10 per cent share in the film’s net profits alongside specific working conditions, prompting the makers to move forward with alternative casting choices. ‘We Mistake Burnout for Commitment’: Deepika Padukone Says INR 500 Crore Films No Longer Impress Her After Exiting ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ and ‘Spirit’, Calls Out Burnout Culture in Bollywood.
Pranay Reddy Vanga on Why Deepika Padukone Left ‘Spirit’
Speaking on an NTV Telugu interview show, Pranay Reddy Vanga detailed the factors that led to the team's decision to drop the actress from the Prabhas-led project. He explained that director Sandeep Reddy Vanga had initially envisioned Padukone in the leading role and maintained discussions with her for nearly eighteen months.
According to Pranay, financial demands, schedule limitations, and creative disagreements ultimately made the collaboration unviable for the production house.
’She Demanded 10 per Cent From the Film’s Profit'
Pranay stated that Padukone’s compensation terms escalated significantly following her recent box-office successes. Beyond standard remuneration, the production team faced requests for a substantial stake in the movie's backend earnings.
"She demanded 10 percent from the film's profit," Pranay said during the interview. "Soon after, everything went overboard. See, she can ask for anything. If we are willing to give, we can give. But the economics should also work out for us. We thought that it was not working. This is why we thought of other options."
He added that while the filmmakers respected her stature, the requested financial model did not align with the movie's overall budget allocations.
Disagreements Over Schedule and Unauthorised Information
In addition to financial compensation, Pranay highlighted issues regarding shoot timing, call-sheet constraints, and confidentiality. Prior industry reports had surfaced claiming that Padukone required strict eight-hour workdays, a point Pranay acknowledged as part of broader operational disagreements. Pranay further alleged that certain sensitive details shared during initial pre-production talks were leaked externally.
He noted that such actions compromised the director's planned rollout strategy for the project, making it difficult to maintain an effective working relationship.
Watch Pranay Reddy Vangas Full Podcast:
More About ‘Spirit’
Following Deepika Padukone's departure, actress Triptii Dimri was officially roped in to star opposite Prabhas. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Spirit is an action-drama set to feature Prabhas in the role of a fierce and intense police officer. The pan-India film is a collaboration between Bhadrakali Pictures Production and T-Series Super Cassettes Industries Ltd., produced by Bhushan Kumar, Pranay Reddy Vanga, Krishan Kumar, and Prabhakar Reddy Vanga. Fact Check: Is Katrina Kaif Making a Comeback With Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Spirit’ After Deepika Padukone Exit? Exclusive.
Scheduled for a theatrical release on March 5, 2027, Spirit will be available in multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. The film's musical score is being composed by Harshavardhan Rameshwar.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 21, 2026 10:47 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
