The highly anticipated collaboration between global star Prabhas and blockbuster director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has officially taken off. The monumental film, Spirit, commenced its first shooting schedule today, following a grand Muhurat ceremony that was graced by Megastar Chiranjeevi as the special guest of honour.
The commencement of the first schedule signals the true beginning of what is touted to be a massive pan-world entertainer. Spirit features the fresh pairing of Prabhas with Triptii Dimri as the female lead, with veteran actors Vivek Oberoi and Prakash Raj already confirmed for key pivotal roles. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, and Pranay Reddy Vanga under the banners T-Series Films and Bhadrakali Pictures.
The Muhurat ceremony, held in Hyderabad on Sunday, attracted significant industry attention, largely due to the presence of Megastar Chiranjeevi. The senior superstar offered his blessings to the team and gave the ceremonial first clap, officially marking the start of principal photography.
Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga took to social media to share his gratitude, posting images of the puja ceremony and thanking Chiranjeevi for his unforgettable gesture. The presence of the Megastar underscores the high expectations and massive industry support for the project, which aims to redefine the action genre.
The ceremony saw the attendance of the core team, including producers Bhushan Kumar, Pranay Reddy Vanga, and actress Triptii Dimri. Although Prabhas was present, the makers deliberately held back his full look from the cameras to maintain secrecy around his character’s appearance. However, Vanga later shared a photo showcasing the star’s hand holding the clapboard, teasing fans with a tiny glimpse of the ‘Rebel Star.’
Spirit brings together an explosive cast handpicked to match the intensity of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s vision:
- Prabhas: The star reportedly plays an IPS officer who is currently behind bars. The film’s audio teaser, released earlier, featured Prabhas’s distinct voice delivering the intense line: “Right from childhood, I have one bad habit.”
- Triptii Dimri: The actress steps into the female lead role, marking her second consecutive collaboration with director Vanga and producer Bhushan Kumar after their recent success with Animal. Her casting generates massive buzz for her first-ever pairing with Prabhas.
- Vivek Oberoi and Prakash Raj: Both veterans join the ensemble in crucial roles. Prakash Raj is heavily rumoured to play a strict jailer, setting up a high-stakes power dynamic with Prabhas’s character.
The makers initially approached Deepika Padukone for the female lead; however, scheduling conflicts and contractual disagreements led to her exit, paving the way for Triptii Dimri to join the prestigious project.
Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has consistently proven his ability to deliver films that are both viscerally intense and commercially colossal (e.g., Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh, and Animal). Spirit is billed as a “pan-world entertainer”, confirming the makers’ intention to target not just the Indian market but a global audience, leveraging Prabhas’s widespread international appeal.
Vanga previously revealed that the protagonist in Spirit comes from a middle-class background, a deliberate contrast to his earlier lead characters who were often from affluent families. This focus on a grounded yet intense character promises a raw, emotionally charged action drama.
Produced collaboratively by T-Series Films and Bhadrakali Pictures, the film is set for a massive multi-lingual release across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and select foreign languages. With filming now underway, the production team aggressively pushes forward to meet the highly anticipated 2026 release timeline.
