Don Lee May Join Prabhas’ Spirit as Lead Antagonist, Say Korean Reports

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit May Feature Korean Star Don Lee as Ruthless Antagonist

Korean media has set social media abuzz with reports that international action star Don Lee, also known as Ma Dong Seok, has officially joined Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, starring Prabhas. If confirmed, this marks Don Lee’s debut in Indian cinema, and fans across Korea and India are already calling it one of the most exciting crossovers in recent years.

Don Lee to Play the Antagonist in Spirit?

According to Korean entertainment outlets, Don Lee will play the main antagonist opposite Prabhas in Spirit, a dark-toned detective crime drama directed by Vanga. Muko, a popular Korean drama community on X (formerly Twitter), posted, “This film, titled Spirit, is directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and stars Prabhas, famous for Baahubali, in a dark detective drama. Ma Dong-seok’s character will oppose the one played by Prabhas.”

The report also mentioned that Don Lee’s recent Instagram updates, showing him boarding a flight to India, were likely related to his involvement in the project. Fans have been speculating ever since, especially after the actor’s management agency refrained from commenting on the rumors.

Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Growing Global Reach

The Korean media highlighted Vanga’s reputation as “one of the most controversial commercial directors in recent times,” referencing his massive hits Animal and Arjun Reddy. With Spirit, the filmmaker appears to be expanding his cinematic universe beyond Indian borders. 

The combination of Vanga’s intense storytelling, Prabhas’ screen presence, and Don Lee’s raw power could make Spirit one of the biggest pan-Asian collaborations in recent memory.

Though there’s no confirmation yet about a Korean theatrical release, the idea of Don Lee in Spirit has already generated significant buzz among fans and film critics alike.

All About Spirit

Spirit is marketed as a high-energy police action movie with Prabhas as the main character. On October 23, on the occasion of Prabhas' birthday, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga released a "sound story" teaser - a short audio introduction to the world of the movie that allowed the audience to experience its gritty tone.

The movie is going to be produced by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures. Its release has been set for 2026 in cinemas. If the inclusion of Don Lee in Spirit gets official confirmation, it will mark a significant landmark in the area of Indo-Korean entertainment collaborations and might also lead to more such cross-industry projects in the future.