He further alleged that Deepika sought a 10% share of the film’s profits.
“The reason is the same as what was already mentioned. One was remuneration, the second was timing. Apart from that, there are some other reasons too. She demanded 10 percent from the film’s profit. Soon after, everything went overboard. See, she can ask for anything. If we are willing to give, we can give. But the economics (budget) should also work out for us. We thought that it was not working,” Pranay was quoted as saying by NTV Telugu.
Pranay clarified that the disagreement was not simply about adding another ₹5-6 crore to Deepika’s remuneration.
According to him, the makers had to consider the film’s overall budget and felt that the proposed financial terms were not viable for Spirit.
He also claimed that details about the project, including information about Deepika’s character, started emerging publicly after the makers began exploring other actresses for the role.
“Once we started looking for other options, they started leaking everything. We discussed the story and character with her. Things discussed internally should not be revealed but she leaked all of them. That is why we are disturbed,” Pranay added.
Pranay’s comments have also brought Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s cryptic May 2025 post back into focus.
At the time, the director appeared to hint at a fallout with an actor, alleging that someone he trusted had revealed confidential details that were meant to remain private.
“When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are…. Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it. Aisa karo…. Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha. #dirtyPRgames I like this kahawath very much 🙂 खुंदक में बिल्ली खंबा नोचे!” the director had posted on X.
When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA(Non Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are….
Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for ? As a…
— Sandeep Reddy Vanga (@imvangasandeep) May 26, 2025
Deepika had previously addressed the backlash over her reported demand for an eight-hour workday.
Speaking to Brut India, she questioned the criticism directed at actresses for setting boundaries around their working hours, pointing out that male stars in the industry have also worked under similar conditions.
“I don’t think what I am asking for is ridiculously unfair. I am saying this, if I may say so myself, a top star, so you can only imagine what the working conditions must be like for everyone else, for the crew, for example,” she had said.
Following Deepika’s exit from ‘Spirit’, Triptii Dimri was brought on board as the female lead opposite Prabhas.