Shocking! Did Spirit Makers EXPEL Deepika Padukone From Prabhas Starrer After Alleged Tantrums And Unreasonable Demands?

Deepika Padukone no longer stars in Spirit, the upcoming action film directed by Animal and Kabir Singh fame Sandeep Reddy Vanga. While Prabhas remains the lead, rumours suggest Deepika’s exit has caused quite a stir.

Originally, Deepika signed on as the female lead for this high-profile, pan-world release. However, Telugu portals like Gulte and GreatAndhra report that the actress has been removed from the project. The reason mentioned is her alleged tantrums and demands that the makers found difficult to accept.

Deepika Padukone REMOVED From Spirit

Sources reveal Deepika, through her agency, demanded an eight-hour workday, which reportedly meant only about six hours of actual shooting. On top of that, she charged a hefty fee exceeding Rs 20 crore, plus a share of the film’s profits.

The situation worsened when Deepika’s team pushed for a contract change. A source revealed to Bollywood Hungama that Sandeep Reddy Vanga was surprised when Deepika Padukone refused to shoot for more than six hours a day for Spirit. Additionally, through her agency, she requested a contract change that would require extra payment if the shoot lasted beyond 100 days.

Reports also claim Deepika refused to speak her dialogues in Telugu, which created further tension. The team considered these conditions unprofessional. Vanga reportedly held several talks with his producer to resolve the issues, but the discussions failed.

Eventually, the director asked Deepika to leave the film. Now, he is searching for a more flexible and less expensive replacement. Filming is planned to begin in October 2025, with the new cast expected to be confirmed within a month.

Film's Shoot Was Earlier Delayed Due To Deepika’s Pregnancy?

Earlier, some reports linked the delay in Spirit to Deepika Padukone’s pregnancy. Initially, she declined the role due to scheduling conflicts. After the producers revised the shooting timeline, she agreed to join. But that arrangement now appears to be off.

Neither Deepika nor Sandeep has commented publicly on the reports. Yet, online chatter is buzzing as fans await news on who will step into the female lead role. Deepika recently starred in Jawan and Kalki 2898 AD. 

She is also rumoured to feature in Love And War, King, and a sequel to Kalki. Her upcoming projects remain full despite the reported exit from Spirit.