Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s decision to cast Tripti Dimri as the female lead opposite Prabhas in “Spirit” has become a hot topic in film circles and on social media. The buzz stems from the fact that Tripti, while talented, is not yet considered a top-tier actress. She was chosen after talks with Deepika Padukone reportedly fell through.
According to industry sources, Sandeep Reddy was reportedly upset by Deepika’s demands like a remuneration of nearly Rs 25 crore, a 26-member entourage, and private jet travel. He felt her requests were excessive and unprecedented, especially since she had not made such demands with other directors in the past.
Feeling slighted, Sandeep Reddy Vanga decided to cast Tripti Dimri instead—partly to prove a point, and partly to demonstrate that he could elevate a relatively less-established actress to stardom through his film.
This decision, driven by what many are calling his “ego,” has ironically saved the producers crores of rupees. Tripti is said to be charging only Rs 3–4 crore, making this a financially prudent move for producers Bhushan Kumar (T-Series) and Pranay Reddy Vanga (Sandeep’s brother).
Whether this gamble pays off in star power remains to be seen, but it’s already paying off at the budget table.
