In a splashy casting change, Janhvi Kapoor has officially replaced Deepika Padukone in SPIRIT, starring Prabhas and directed by the talented Sandeep Reddy Vanga. After reportedly quoting an “unreal” fee, the producers and Deepika parted ways, and quickly brought in Janhvi for the role.
Sources close to the production confirmed to Box Office Worldwide that the casting change has been finalised and Janhvi has begun prep of the role.
Deepika Out Due To Fee Demands, Janhvi Steps In With Momentum
After the roaring success of Kalki 2898 AD—which is still smashing box office numbers—and her already busy schedule going forward, Deepika Padukone had been in discussions for SPIRIT for several months.
But, according to industry insiders, her “crazy fee expectations” brought it to an end. The producers were not capable of meeting the inflated raise income demand. So they called over Janhvi Kapoor directly—who is not only at the top of her game at this moment but also has a massive career soaring in Telugu and with pan-India cinema right now.
Janhvi To Star Opposite Allu Arjun In Atlee’s AA22xA6
But wait—SPIRIT is not the only pan-India spectacle Janhvi is a part of. It is also now confirmed that she signed on opposite Allu Arjun as one of the three female leads with director Atlee in his anticipated action film tentatively titled AA22xA6.
She joins Deepika Padukone and Mrunal Thakur for an action-packed masterpiece produced by Sun Pictures and with a budget touching a massive ₹700 crore. The film will feature Allu Arjun in a double role for the first time and is due to start production in July 2025.
This is Janhvi’s second big-ticket South film after Devara alongside Jr NTR and puts her firmly in the pan-India league.
Inside SPIRIT: An Unstoppable Force from Sandeep Reddy Vanga
As it has been discussed and reported before, SPIRIT promises to be Prabhas’ most intense character by tackling themes of violence, morality, and redemption.
After cult films Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh, and Animal, Vanga has established an emotionally violent cinematic universe, and SPIRIT seems destined to be another landmark.
Now that Janhvi has taken over Deepika’s character, SPIRIT is back on track and will likely start to roll by late 2025.
➤ Also Read: Deepika Padukone Opts Out Of Spirit, Joins Allu Arjun In Atlee’s ₹700-Crore Action Spectacle
Box Office Worldwide Judgement
- Strategic Win For Janhvi: To succeed Deepika in SPIRIT and to be cast in Atlee’s AA22xA6 back-to-back is going to put Param Sundari actress Janhvi Kapoor in more and more demand and shows that she is being strategic about her career.
- Deepika’s Exit, A Power Shift: The departure of Deepika from SPIRIT may dull its early hype; however, Janhvi’s South presence offsets that.
- Two Biggies, One Young Star: With Devara, SPIRIT, and AA22xA6, Janhvi is establishing herself as the face of Bollywood’s South crossover wave.
- Momentum Carries On: With big banners, top directors, and superstar co-stars, Janhvi Kapoor’s rise in pan-India cinema looks inevitable.
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