Famous director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for films like Kabir Singh and Animal, is once again in the spotlight. This time, it’s due to a controversy surrounding his upcoming film ‘Spirit’ starring Prabhas. The film’s story has reportedly been leaked, and Vanga’s recent cryptic posts on social media have sparked a new wave of discussion. Many believe he has indirectly pointed fingers at Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s History of Speaking Out
Sandeep Reddy Vanga is known for openly sharing his views on social media, especially on X (formerly Twitter). In the past, when Javed Akhtar criticized a scene in Animal, Vanga responded by questioning whether Javed had ever raised concerns about the violent scenes in his son Farhan Akhtar’s production Mirzapur.
Similarly, when Kiran Rao expressed disapproval of films like Kabir Singh and Animal, Sandeep didn’t hesitate to reply to her through a sharp tweet, defending his work.
‘Spirit’ Cast and Budget Details
‘Spirit’ is one of Vanga’s most ambitious projects. The film is being produced by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures, with Prabhas playing the lead role. The female lead is Tripti Dimri, who gained popularity after Animal.
The film is expected to be made on a grand scale, with a budget estimated between ₹300 to ₹500 crore. Earlier, Deepika Padukone was considered for the lead female role before Tripti was finalized.
Why Deepika Padukone Walked Away
According to several media reports, Deepika Padukone demanded a very high fee for the film. Additionally, she reportedly stated that she would work only 8 hours per day and also asked for a share in the film’s profits.
Although none of these claims have been officially confirmed, sources say these conditions led to her exit from the project. These demands were seen as unworkable by the production team.
Was the Story Leaked by Deepika?
In a recent post on X, Sandeep Reddy Vanga revealed that the story of ‘Spirit’ has been leaked. He wrote:
“My film’s story has been leaked. When I narrate a story, I do it with complete trust. In this industry, even if an actor does not take up a film, they must keep the story confidential.”
While he didn’t name anyone, many believe this post was aimed at Deepika Padukone, since she was closely involved in early discussions about the film.
Vanga further added:
“Leaking my story and trying to humiliate someone younger than you – is this what feminism means to you?”
This line was taken by many as a direct jab at Deepika, sparking debates across the film industry and social media platforms.
Vanga Defends His Passion for Filmmaking
In the same post, Vanga expressed his deep commitment to filmmaking. He wrote:
“Filmmaking is everything to me. I have spent years working on this story. Maybe you won’t understand that.”
This emotional reaction shows how seriously he takes his work, and how hurt he is by the leak.
Is ‘Spirit’ Inspired by Tamil Film ‘Theri’?
Amid the leak controversy, some people have started claiming that the story of ‘Spirit’ is similar to the Tamil film ‘Theri’ starring Vijay. However, there is no official confirmation about these similarities or the originality of the plot.
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, 2025Who Leaked the Story?
At this point, there is no official confirmation about who leaked the story of ‘Spirit’. While Deepika Padukone is being linked to the situation, nothing has been proven.
The incident has once again raised questions about trust and professionalism in the film industry, especially when it comes to confidential story discussions between filmmakers and actors.
Conclusion
The leak of the ‘Spirit’ storyline has become a major controversy in Bollywood. Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s indirect comments have added fuel to the fire, with Deepika Padukone at the center of speculation. Whether or not she was involved, this issue highlights the importance of respecting creative work and maintaining confidentiality in the film industry.
Fans are now eagerly waiting for official updates about the film and how this situation will be resolved.
