Did Deepika Padukone opt out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit for Atlee's next starring Allu Arjun? Here's what we know

Time of India

5 days ago

Deepika Padukone's departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'Spirit' sparked speculation, with reports suggesting she prioritized Atlee's sci-fi thriller with Allu Arjun due to scheduling conflicts and a more exciting offer. Her exit led to Triptii Dimri's casting in 'Spirit,' while Deepika's request for shorter workdays ignited discussions about work-life balance for mothers in the film industry.
The buzz around
Deepika Padukone
's sudden exit from
Sandeep Reddy Vanga
's Spirit has left fans and industry insiders speculating. While initial reports pointed to creative and contractual disagreements, a new update suggests her decision may have hinged on a more compelling offer—Atlee's big-budget sci-fi thriller with
Allu Arjun
.
A More Exciting Offer?
A report in Bollywood Hungama claimed that Deepika's decision to exit Spirit had more to do with scheduling conflicts. She has reportedly chosen to prioritise director Atlee's upcoming film with Allu Arjun instead.
The report further added that the actress was initially on board with Spirit and had even begun contract discussions after being impressed by the script and her role. However, just a week later, she received an offer for Atlee's film with Allu Arjun—a project she reportedly found more exciting.
Faced with a scheduling clash, Deepika chose to step away from Spirit, officially citing reasons like disagreements over remuneration and working hours.
Triptii Dimri
Steps In
Deepika was eventually replaced by Triptii Dimri in Spirit. Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga confirmed the casting through an official social media post, announcing Triptii as the film's new female lead opposite Prabhas.
Conversation on Work-Life Balance
So far, neither Deepika nor Vanga has addressed the controversy surrounding her exit from Spirit.
However, reports suggesting that the actress requested an eight-hour workday due to her new role as a mother have sparked industry-wide conversations about work-life balance and accommodations for female actors post-motherhood.
Several celebrities—including Ajay Devgn, Vidya Balan,
Surveen Chawla
,
Sonakshi Sinha
, Neha Dhupia, Vikrant Massey, and Anurag Basu—have weighed in on the eight-hour shift request for new mothers in the film industry.
Most have expressed their support, acknowledging the importance of creating a more accommodating and empathetic work environment for actresses balancing motherhood and careers.
Deepika's Upcoming Line-Up
Last month, it was officially confirmed that Deepika Padukone will star in Atlee's upcoming film alongside Allu Arjun. Touted to be a sci-fi action thriller, the project generated major buzz online, especially after Deepika's announcement video went viral across social media platforms.
Apart from AA22xA6, Deepika Padukone is also part of King, another highly anticipated project that has already gone on floors. The ensemble cast includes
Shah Rukh Khan
, Rani Mukerji,
Abhishek Bachchan
, Suhana Khan, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Raghav Juyal, Arshad Warsi, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Abhay Verma.