In a cinematic twist worthy of a movie itself, Sandeep Reddy Vanga has pulled the curtain back on the mystery surrounding his next big project, Spirit. After weeks of social media sleuthing and fan theories, the director took to Instagram to confirm what few saw coming — Tripti Dimri will be starring opposite Prabhas in the highly anticipated film. With a simple yet dramatic post, Vanga wrote, “The female lead for my film is now official.” And just like that, the Internet had its new obsession.
This casting revelation has stirred up plenty of chatter, not just because of Tripti’s rising-star status, but because of the high-profile names she edged out. Industry insiders say Deepika Padukone was originally poised to take the role, but things reportedly fizzled due to a disagreement over remuneration and creative demands. Rumors swirled, Shraddha Kapoor’s name entered the mix, but ultimately, it was Tripti — fresh from her scene-stealing turn in Animal — who secured the coveted spot.
Tripti’s arc is turning out to be one of Bollywood’s most intriguing underdog stories. Her role in Animal may have been brief, but it left a seismic impression. It’s rare for an actress to go from “memorable supporting role” to “leading lady opposite Prabhas” in one clean leap, but that’s exactly what she’s done. It feels like Vanga, known for spotting emotional intensity in his actors, saw something raw and magnetic in her performance — and the bet on her feels as bold as it does refreshing.
Set to portray a gritty cop, Prabhas will now share the screen with a co-star whose star is on the rise — and whose casting adds a jolt of freshness to a film already heavy with expectation. With shooting set to begin soon, fans can expect more surprises along the way. But for now, Spirit has its leads, and Bollywood has a new pairing to obsess over.