Padukone was initially in advanced talks for nearly 18 months before the makers recast the female lead with Triptii Dimri. While initial industry chatter pointed to disputes over working hours and strict eight-hour shifts, Pranay’s latest statements have reignited the dispute with specific financial and creative allegations.
"She Demanded 10% Profits": Pranay Vanga’s Explosive Claims
Speaking to NTV, Pranay Reddy Vanga stated that while Sandeep was eager to collaborate with Deepika following her massive box-office run, the terms presented during contract finalization strained the film's budgetary blueprint:
"She demanded 10 percent from the film's profit. Soon after, everything went overboard. See, she can ask for anything. If we are willing to give, we can give. But the economics (budget) should also work out for us. We thought that it was not working. This is why we thought of other options."
"Once we started looking for other options, they started leaking everything. We discussed the story and character with her for more than a year. Things discussed internally should not be revealed, but she leaked all of them. That is why we are disturbed." — Pranay Reddy Vanga, Producer (Spirit)
Pranay clarified that the conflict was not simply over a standard ₹5–6 crore remuneration hike, but the overarching structural demands and revenue-sharing terms.
The Backstory: Unsaid NDAs and 'Dirty PR Games'
Pranay's remarks align with the earlier social media uproar sparked when Sandeep Reddy Vanga posted a strongly worded note on X (formerly Twitter) condemning unsaid NDA breaches after trade reports claimed Spirit featured an "A-rated action" premise:
The Director's Rebuttal: At the time, Sandeep wrote: "When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA 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?"
The Other Side of the Debate: Representatives and commentators in Padukone's corner have previously argued that leading female stars command significant market leverage and have every professional right to negotiate profit participation and standardized work hours on par with top male superstars.
Production Update: Release Date Firm for March 2027
Amid reports speculating about potential production delays due to Prabhas’ packed multi-film itinerary (including Hanu Raghavapudi’s Fauzi), co-producers T-Series officially dismissed postponement rumors:
Trade Verdict:
While public finger-pointing regarding profit parity and creative confidentiality continues to polarize fans and trade analysts, Spirit remains one of the most anticipated pan-India action tentpoles on the horizon. With Triptii Dimri locked as the female lead and production advancing steadily, the spotlight remains firmly on Sandeep Reddy Vanga to deliver another high-impact box-office heavyweight.
