Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the filmmaker behind blockbusters like Arjun Reddy and Animal, has always marched to the beat of his own drum.
Known for his rebellious streak, Vanga doesn’t shy away from challenging even the most influential voices in Bollywood media.
He has openly criticized top film critics like Rajeev Masand and Anupama Chopra for labeling his films as misogynistic.
His defiance was once again evident during the casting process for his upcoming film Spirit.
Vanga initially approached leading Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone for the female lead opposite Prabhas.
However, he was reportedly put off by what he considered unreasonable demands from the actress.
Despite producer Bhushan Kumar’s attempts to mediate and convince Deepika to come on board, Vanga stood his ground — firmly refusing to cast her under any conditions.
Instead, he opted to cast Tripti Dimri, who had made a strong impression in a supporting role in Animal.
While there were other top actresses available, insiders believe this decision was Vanga’s way of making a statement: proving to the industry that he doesn’t need established stars to create stars.
By casting Tripti in the lead, he’s backing her potential and reaffirming his belief in elevating raw talent on his own terms.
In essence, Vanga isn’t just making films — he’s making a point: in his world, creative conviction always trumps star power.
