National Award-winning actor Prakash Raj has fired back at viral reports claiming he walked out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s highly anticipated film, Spirit.
Taking to his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, February 9, 2026, the veteran actor dismissed the rumors as “toxic fake news” and clarified that he hasn’t even begun filming his portions yet.
The controversy erupted over the weekend when reports suggested that Raj had a “heated argument” with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga on the sets in Hyderabad, allegedly over the script and the execution of a specific scene.
“Grow Up and Have a Life”: Prakash Raj Reacts
Known for his candidness, the 60-year-old actor didn’t hold back in his response to the speculation.
- The Clarification: “To all the toxic #fakenews peddlers… on #Spirit the movie. We have not even started shooting my scenes, and you WhatsApp factories speculate stories. Grow up and have a life,” he posted.
- The “Nonsense”: In a separate statement to the media, he called the rumors “nonsense speculations” and confirmed his continued association with the project.
The Role in Spirit
Prakash Raj is expected to play a pivotal role—rumored to be Prabhas’ father—in the high-octane cop drama.
- The Voice Connection: His involvement was first teased in the film’s “sound story” launch, where his commanding voice was heard as a senior police official questioning an IPS officer (played by Prabhas).
- The Cast: The film features a pan-India ensemble, including Triptii Dimri (who replaced Deepika Padukone), Vivek Oberoi, and Kanchana.
A Pattern of “Casting Turbulence”
Spirit has seen its fair share of headlines regarding its cast even before major production milestones:
- The Deepika Padukone Exit (2025): The Bollywood superstar reportedly left the film following a disagreement over working hours, specifically a request for an 8-hour shift after returning from maternity leave.
- The Current Schedule: The film is currently under production in Hyderabad. Despite the rumors, the production team maintains that the schedule is on track for its March 5, 2027 theatrical release.
Movie Fact Sheet: Spirit
| Feature | Details |
| Director | Sandeep Reddy Vanga (Animal, Kabir Singh) |
| Lead Star | Prabhas (as an intense IPS officer) |
| Female Lead | Triptii Dimri |
| Release Date | March 5, 2027 |
| Languages | Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam (and select foreign languages) |
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Prakash Raj, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, Spirit Movie, Prabhas, Triptii Dimri, Tollywood News 2026, Fake News, Spirit Cast Update, Bollywood News, Hyderabad Shoot