After Deepika Padukone's Exit, Katrina Kaif In Talks To Join Prabhas' Spirit? Report

Ever since Spirit went on floors, the Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial has remained one of the most talked-about upcoming films. While the makers have stayed tight-lipped about several aspects of the project, fresh reports suggest that there could be another possible addition to the cast.

According to a Deccan Herald report, Katrina Kaif is being considered for a key cameo in the Prabhas and Triptii Dimri-starrer. Though the role is said to have limited screen time, it is reportedly expected to play an important part in the storyline and could become one of the film’s biggest surprises if the casting materialises.

There has been no official confirmation from either the makers or Katrina regarding the reports. As of now, the speculation remains

unverified.

Also Read: Deepika Padukone Demanded Rs 25-Cr, 10% Profit Cut For Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit? | Exclusive

If Katrina signs the film, it would mark her return to Telugu cinema after almost 20 years. She was last seen in Telugu films like Malliswari, opposite Venkatesh, and Allari Pidugu, alongside Nandamuri Balakrishna.

The actress has also maintained a relatively low professional profile in recent years. Since marrying Vicky Kaushal, Katrina has taken up fewer projects, and her recent releases did not perform as expected at the box office. She has also not announced any major new films lately.

The latest buzz comes weeks after Deepika Padukone was reportedly no longer associated with Spirit. The actor was earlier said to have been cast opposite Prabhas, reuniting with him after Kalki 2898 AD. However, reports later claimed she had exited the project.

Before Katrina’s name surfaced, Spirit had already generated headlines over Deepika’s reported exit. While the makers never revealed the reason behind the development, News18 Showsha exclusively reported that the actor had allegedly demanded a fee of around Rs 25 crore along with a 10 per cent share of the film’s profits.

The report also claimed that Deepika had sought an eight-hour work schedule, travelled with a large entourage and was unwilling to dub her Telugu dialogues, leading to speculation of creative differences with the production. It was later reported that Triptii Dimri replaced her in the film for a significantly lower remuneration.

“There seems to be a deliberate attempt to control the narrative,” a source close to the development revealed to us, adding, “The actress’ perception team is struggling to come to terms with her replacement and is conveniently spinning her exit as a ‘work-life balance’ decision. But the reality is quite different.”

According to the source, the real reasons behind the exit are far more practical and rooted in professional disagreements. “The actor had reportedly demanded ₹25 crores for approximately 35 days of shoot, along with a 10% profit share, extensive entourage expenses, and even expressed unwillingness to deliver dialogues in Telugu—something the director felt strongly about. To top it off, confidential plot details from Spirit were allegedly leaked, which raised serious concerns among the producers,” the insider stated.

“Contrary to speculation, her restricted filming schedule of under 8 hours a day was never the primary issue. In filmmaking, working hours are fluid and depend on location, lighting, and various technical factors. You could shoot for 2 hours or 8, depending on the scene. What truly matters is flexibility, collaboration, and respect for the craft,” the source emphasised.

Clarifying about the rumour, the source continued, “Also using this situation many are commenting on the work life balance without knowing the facts and understanding repercussions a production/director can face, this is not just misleading; it’s unfair. This isn’t about hours or schedules, it’s about unreasonable demands, lack of adaptability, and unprofessional conduct.”

Neither Deepika Padukone nor the makers of Spirit have publicly addressed or confirmed these reports.