Deepika Padukone Allegedly Leaked Female Lead Story of Spirit, Claims Sandeep Reddy Vanga

Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga, best known for his intense storytelling in films like Arjun Reddy and Animal, has sparked controversy on social media with a cryptic post aimed at an unnamed actor. The post comes in the wake of strong buzz that Deepika Padukone had exited his upcoming big-budget film Spirit, starring Prabhas, due to creative and financial disagreements.

In his strongly-worded message on X (formerly Twitter), Vanga didn’t mention names but made it clear he felt betrayed. He wrote about the “dirty PR games” allegedly played by an actor and accused her of “outing his story” and trying to put down a younger co-star — a reference many netizens believe is directed towards Deepika. He also questioned the actor’s interpretation of feminism, writing, “Is this what your feminism stands for?” — a line that has since sparked debates across social platforms.

When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA(Non Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You've 'DISCLOSED' the person that you are….
Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for ? As a…

— Sandeep Reddy Vanga (@imvangasandeep) May 26, 2025

Vanga stated that when he narrates a story to an actor, he places his complete trust in them, equating the process to an unsaid NDA. He expressed disappointment that this trust had been broken, saying, “You’ve DISCLOSED the person that you are.” He also took a dig at the situation by ending his post with a Hindi proverb, “Khundak mein billi khamba noche,” loosely translated as “An embarrassed cat scratches the pole,” indicating that the actor’s actions were driven by personal frustration.

While Deepika Padukone was never officially confirmed by the film’s team, media reports suggested that she was the original choice for the female lead in Spirit and had even received one of the highest paychecks in her career for it. However, her sudden exit from the project sparked speculation. Sources claim the departure stemmed from disagreements over the script, certain scenes, work schedules, remuneration, and backend profit-sharing terms.

In an apparent move to steer the narrative, the makers officially announced Triptii Dimri as the female lead of Spirit. Dimri, known for her roles in Qala and Animal, is considered one of Bollywood’s rising stars. Her casting has been met with excitement, especially given her performance in Vanga’s previous film.

Despite the drama, neither Deepika Padukone nor her team has issued a public statement addressing the casting rumours or the director’s indirect accusations. The production house, too, has refrained from naming anyone or confirming the reason behind the reshuffle.

Spirit, which marks Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ambitious next after the blockbuster Animal, is touted to be a high-octane cop drama starring pan-India star Prabhas in the lead. The director had earlier revealed that the film has a massive budget of ₹300 crore and could potentially open to ₹150 crore on its first day. Interestingly, South Korean actor Don Lee is also rumored to be associated with the project, though the complete cast and crew are yet to be formally announced.

While fans await further official updates, the buzz around Spirit continues to grow — not just for its scale and star power, but also for the off-screen controversies that have brought it to the center of Bollywood discourse.