Deepika Padukone never considered Spirit, source says

A new report quoting a close source claims Deepika Padukone met filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga only once and never received a full narration of his film Spirit. The source told Hindustan Times that the director arrived an hour late to the meeting, and that Deepika would never collaborate with Vanga given what the source called his 'misogynist nature'. The source added that Spirit was never part of her consideration set.

The report contradicts earlier claims by Vanga's brother Pranay Reddy Vanga, who said Deepika demanded a 10 per cent profit share and that discussions had gone on for 18 months before the team decided to move on. Pranay also alleged that Deepika leaked plot details after talks fell through. Sandeep Reddy Vanga had earlier posted on X accusing an unnamed actor of disclosing his story and questioning their feminism.

The exact reason for Deepika's exit remains unclear, with multiple versions circulating. Deepika has not addressed the profit-share claim directly but has previously defended requesting an eight-hour workday as reasonable. Triptii Dimri has since been announced as her replacement opposite Prabhas in Spirit.