Deepika’s Social Media Move Reignites Spirit Casting Controversy

New Delhi, August 22, 2026 The long-running casting controversy surrounding Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit has once again gained attention. Deepika Padukone has seemingly responded to the debate by liking a viral social media post that accuses the film industry of “male ego” and “misogyny.” Her action has added fresh speculation to the circumstances surrounding her departure from the Prabhas-starrer. The post said, "Judging by the meltdown, you would think she asked for the entire film and Vanga estate. Sounds like we have a full-blown male-ego crisis on our hands. A woman rejected a deal, and misogyny couldn't handle a woman's 'no'," suggesting that the backlash was triggered simply because a woman chose to reject a professional deal. Deepika’s decision to like the post has been interpreted as an indication that she agrees with its view of the controversy and the reaction to her exit from the negotiations. The development came shortly after producer Pranay Reddy Vanga spoke about the failed discussions with Deepika. He revealed that Sandeep Reddy Vanga had initially wanted Deepika for Spirit, with negotiations continuing for almost 18 months. He said her box-office standing gave her considerable leverage during the talks, but differences over remuneration and scheduling eventually prevented the agreement from moving forward. Explaining the producers’ position, Pranay said, "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," he told NTV, a Telugu television channel. He also clarified that the disagreement was not merely about a few crores of additional remuneration. Deepika’s social media activity has now added another layer to the ongoing discussion, particularly as the liked post framed the situation around a woman asserting her decision to reject a deal. Neither Deepika nor the filmmakers has issued an official statement beyond these public developments. After Deepika’s exit from Spirit, Triptii Dimri was brought on board for the Prabhas-led project, bringing the casting chapter to a new phase while debate over the earlier negotiations continues online.