For the past few days, social media has been abuzz with speculation that Megastar Chiranjeevi would play Prabhas’ father in Spirit, the highly anticipated action drama directed by Animal filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga. However, the director has now put an end to all rumours, confirming that Chiranjeevi is not associated with the project in any capacity.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga clears the air
During a recent interaction with the Jigris team, Vanga addressed the circulating reports and categorically denied Chiranjeevi’s involvement in the film. As reported by 123 Telugu, the filmmaker stated that the rumours were completely unfounded and that Chiranjeevi was not playing Prabhas’ father — or any other role — in Spirit.
This clarification comes after weeks of fan speculation and social media posts linking the two stars. The rumour had gained traction due to their shared popularity in Telugu cinema, leading fans to believe that a rare father-son on-screen collaboration could be in the works.
Don Lee’s role remains unconfirmed
While Sandeep Reddy Vanga firmly denied Chiranjeevi’s casting, he remained tight-lipped about South Korean actor Don Lee’s (known for Train to Busan) possible involvement as the film’s antagonist. When asked about Don Lee’s role, the director neither confirmed nor denied the speculation, keeping the curiosity alive among fans.
Prabhas to play a cop in Spirit
According to Filmfare, Prabhas is all set to undergo a look test for his role in the movie. The actor, who has reportedly shed several kilos, will be seen portraying an IPS officer in Spirit.
A source quoted by the entertainment portal shared that Vanga intends to experiment with multiple looks before finalising the character’s appearance. “A photoshoot will be organised for Prabhas to lock his look and hairstyle for the cop role. The superstar has worked hard to get into shape, and his lean and mean look will enthral fans,” the source revealed.
Given Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s penchant for crafting intense characters, fans are eager to see how he presents Prabhas in this new, gritty avatar. The film is expected to combine emotional depth with high-octane action sequences, marking Prabhas’ first collaboration with the Animal director.
Audio teaser gives a glimpse of Prabhas’ character
Last month, the makers of Spirit unveiled a one-minute audio teaser in five Indian languages, sparking massive excitement among fans. The teaser opened with a conversation between a jailer and his assistant about an ex-cop in remand.
While the jailer instructs his assistant to maintain decorum, he also orders the prisoner to be stripped. Towards the end, Prabhas’ voice can be heard saying, “Sir, since childhood, I have one bad habit.” He repeats the line, hinting at the dark, complex nature of his character.
The teaser quickly went viral across social media platforms, with fans praising the intense tone and raw energy associated with Vanga’s storytelling.
Plot and casting details
Spirit is described as a stylish action drama featuring Prabhas in the role of an angry young police officer who goes up against a powerful mafia syndicate. The film promises to showcase the Baahubali star in a never-before-seen avatar, balancing emotion, intensity, and action.
Initially, Deepika Padukone was in talks to play the female lead, but she reportedly exited the project following unsuccessful negotiations. Subsequently, Triptii Dimri was finalised for the role, marking her Telugu cinema debut.
While the makers have kept the rest of the cast under wraps, industry sources suggest that Spirit will include a mix of pan-Indian and international actors to enhance its global appeal.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Prabhas’ first collaboration
Spirit marks the first-ever collaboration between Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Prabhas, two powerhouses of Indian cinema known for their mass appeal and distinctive creative styles. Vanga, who delivered back-to-back hits with Kabir Singh and Animal, is expected to bring his trademark intensity to this film as well.
Meanwhile, Prabhas, fresh from projects like Salaar and The Raja Saab, continues to explore diverse genres — from high-octane action to emotional drama — across industries.
Conclusion
With Sandeep Reddy Vanga confirming that Chiranjeevi is not part of Spirit, fans can now look forward to seeing Prabhas take centre stage in what promises to be one of his most intense and experimental performances yet.
As the director gears up to begin production, the excitement around Spirit continues to grow, with fans eagerly awaiting the first look of Prabhas as a tough, no-nonsense cop.