Allu Arjun Follows Deepika Padukone in Exiting Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Projects

Deepika Padukone Out, Allu Arjun Next? Casting Turmoil Hits ‘Spirit’

Deepika Padukone was supposed to be the female opposite to Prabhas in Spirit. But she reportedly walked away due to contract disputes—including her demand for a ₹25 crore fee, a 10% profit share, and an 8-hour shooting day clause. The producers were reportedly unwilling to entertain these demands as they talked of scheduling and budget constraints. 

Her exit subsequently gave rise to larger discussions on fairness to women and new mothers in the industry, with voices such as Kabir Khan, Neha Dhupia, and Mani Ratnam backing her side. 

The director reacted on X with sharp words, accusing her of engaging in "dirty PR games" and betraying the creative trust.

Triptii Dimri Takes the Mantle

In a swift pivot, Triptii Dimri—best known for her roles in Laila Majnu and Animal—has been officially announced as the new female lead for Spirit.
 
Her casting received enthusiastic social media support, signaling a fresh direction for the film.

Allu Arjun Reportedly Removed Too

Following Deepika Padukone’s departure, rumors emerged that Allu Arjun has also been removed from Vanga’s next project (often referred to as #AA23). Industry reports suggest that due to Vanga’s packed schedule, tied up with Spirit and the Animal Park sequel, the Allu Arjun film may be shelved or delayed indefinitely, with Jr. NTR possibly stepping in. ABP Live and Filmibeat confirm that the actor is out, though no formal announcement has been released.

Scheduling Crunch at the Core

Timing has become a major constraint with Spirit still in pre-production and Vanga features lined up through 2027. Postponement after postponement has added to the complication in the availability of Allu Arjun, following the prong of injury suffered by Prabhas and its overlapping engagements on his part.

Implications & Industry Context

The dominoing departure of stars thus created an uncomfortable chapter for Vanga and his pan-India ambitions. Deepika's exit stirred national debate about gender equality, especially concerning working conditions for mothers. Simultaneously, Allu Arjun's sidelining signals that being rigid about schedules can also cause structural changes in the design of film lineups. Vanga's forthright dismissal of actors has been a cause of both praise and censure.

Meanwhile, Deepika and Allu have commenced their new projects expeditiously. Deepika will join forces with the director Atlee, opposite Allu Arjun, to star in the tentative sci-fi titled AA22xA6, with a shoot date slated for mid-2025 and a release date slated for 2027. Now, Vanga must go back to the drawing board, perhaps with an entrance for Jr. NTR in one of his yet-to-begin projects, and with Triptii stepping forward in Spirit.

Deepika's principled exit caused a chain reaction resulting in Triptii Dimri's entry and perhaps Allu Arjun exiting due to delays and scheduling conflicts. With Spirit now undergoing a major rejig, the industry is looking very carefully at this whole saga for more than just casting shakeups: shifting norms around actors' rights, representation, and project scheduling.