The behind-the-scenes disagreement surrounding the upcoming action film Spirit has intensified as new details emerge regarding the initial casting discussions. Bollywood star Deepika Padukone and the production team have offered conflicting accounts about why her potential collaboration with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga ultimately fell through.

Reports indicate that the prominent actress parted ways with the high-profile project in April of last year. Industry discussions reportedly stalled after disagreements arose concerning scheduling parameters, specifically involving an eight-hour daily work limit requested by the performer.

The public debate reignited recently when producer Pranay Reddy publicly addressed the casting fallout from a different perspective. According to those statements, the breakdown in negotiations was heavily influenced by financial demands, with claims that the leading lady sought a ten percent share of the film's profits.

Representatives for the actress have firmly pushed back against these financial assertions. Clarifying the nature of her interaction with the filmmaker, her camp stated that she met with the director on only one occasion. Furthermore, they maintained that no formal script narration ever took place during that singular meeting, rendering claims of excessive financial demands inaccurate.

The online discourse surrounding the controversy recently drew direct engagement from the actress herself. Observers noted that she publicly endorsed a social media post defending her professional conduct and validating her side of the narrative.

Following the departure from the Vanga project, the production team moved quickly to recast the leading role. Actress Triptii Dimri was ultimately chosen to take over the female lead opposite the film's star, Prabhas.

Meanwhile, Padukone has maintained a robust professional schedule with several major cinematic ventures on her horizon. Her upcoming release slate includes prominent roles in the films King and Raaka, ensuring her continued presence at the forefront of the commercial film industry.

Reporting based on coverage first published by The Times of India. Read the original report at The Times of India.