Deepika Padukone Lands Lead Role in Spirit Opposite Prabhas
After weeks of speculation, it is now official that Deepika Padukone is set to share the screen with Prabhas in Sandeep Reddy Vanga‘s next, Spirit. Produced by Bhushan Kumar and Sandeep Reddy Vanga, this would be Deepika and Prabhas’ second film together after Kalki 2898 AD.
As per trade sources, Deepika was Vanga’s first choice for the film, but she initially turned down the role due to her pregnancy timeline forming an issue. When the film was delayed, the team were able to come back and propose their offer to Padukone again — and this time, she said yes.
“It’s the best female character in the world of Sandeep Reddy Vanga,” said a source close to the story. “Deepika was drawn to the depth of the role and the strength of the script.”
A Rammed Calendar Until 2026 – Deepika Is In Demand
To say Deepika’s calendar is booked until the end of 2026 is an understatement. She is set to star in King with Shah Rukh Khan (slated to begin filming in October 2025) and is already in early talks for another mega-budget movie (with most of the details still under wraps).
And that with her forthcoming commitments like Kalki 2 and Pathaan 2 — both likely to go on floors in late 2026 or early 2027 — we have one of the most in-demand actresses in the country, balancing high-concept cinema with mass commercial entertainers.
Spirit Set to Go in 2025 With Important Changes to Cast
At the moment, Spirit will begin production around October 2025, with speculation of a first-half 2027 release. Prabhas and Deepika Padukone are locked in as leads. However, sources suggest that the casting for the supporting cast — including two significant antagonists and several ensemble roles — is being reworked.
This change may pave the way for greater ambitions for the film, particularly after the success of Animal and Kabir Singh, which featured characters with meaningful weight in the narrative.
With Deepika stepping into what is rumoured to be her most layered role to date, Spirit might just shift the paradigm around the sort of characters given to female leads within Vanga’s storytelling universe.
Stay tuned with us for the latest news, Hindi box office news, Hollywood news, OTT news, the latest Bollywood news and the latest box office news.
