The upcoming pan-India film Spirit, helmed by Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Prabhas, has unexpectedly found itself at the center of a heated controversy involving not just casting choices but also accusations of misogyny, disrespect toward actresses, and a fresh wave of online toxicity. What began as fan speculation and insider buzz about leading lady Deepika Padukone walking out of the project has spiraled into a larger, more troubling debate on how women in the industry are perceived, treated, and discussed.
It all started when reports surfaced suggesting that Deepika Padukone had allegedly opted out of Spirit, reportedly due to “creative differences” with the film’s director. While neither the actress nor the filmmaker has officially commented on the situation, online chatter quickly turned intense, with fans taking sides and social media becoming a battleground for assumptions and blame.
Amid this unfolding drama, what really sparked outrage was the shift of public attention toward Triptii Dimri — the talented actress who reportedly stepped in to replace Deepika in the film. Instead of being celebrated for her growing stature in Bollywood, Triptii became the unexpected target of an unpleasant barrage of derogatory comments and speculative sl*t-shaming on various platforms.
“What did Triptii do to deserve this?” asked a netizen on X (formerly Twitter). “If Deepika left the film, that’s her choice. Why is another actress being dragged through the mud for stepping into a role? This says more about the audience than it does about the actors or the filmmakers.”
The situation quickly escalated as several fan communities began polarizing the issue — some defending Deepika for possibly standing up for herself, others supporting Sandeep Reddy Vanga for his cinematic vision. But caught in the crossfire was Triptii Dimri, who became a lightning rod for misplaced rage, baseless assumptions, and deeply problematic judgments about her character, wardrobe choices, and on-screen roles.
The backlash prompted many online users and celebrities to call out the toxic double standards women in the industry often face. “Why is it that whenever a woman makes a career move — whether it’s taking on a bold role or replacing someone in a film — she gets questioned, blamed, or shamed? We don’t see men facing the same treatment,” wrote one social media influencer.
Triptii, best known for her performances in Qala, Laila Majnu, and most recently Animal, has often been praised for her emotional depth and screen presence. Ironically, it was her role in Animal — which was itself criticized by some for its portrayal of gender dynamics — that brought her widespread acclaim and reportedly put her on the radar for Vanga’s next.
Critics argue that the entire episode reflects a larger problem that Bollywood and its fan ecosystem must urgently address — the casual normalization of misogyny, the objectification of actresses, and the tendency to pit women against each other.
The controversy has also reignited past discussions about Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s filmmaking style and portrayal of female characters. After Kabir Singh and Animal, the director has faced repeated criticism for romanticizing toxic male protagonists and sidelining female narratives. While he has a loyal fanbase that applauds his raw storytelling and cinematic flair, others have pointed out a concerning pattern in his depiction of women as accessories to male trauma and transformation.
As things stand, Spirit continues to remain in the spotlight — not for its cinematic ambitions or star power, but for the conversations it has provoked around gender, respect, and representation. Neither Deepika Padukone nor Triptii Dimri has commented on the matter, but many hope the industry — and its audience — will evolve from this episode and reflect on how public discourse can be more empathetic and less judgmental.
In the meantime, fans and supporters of both actresses are urging for a more respectful tone in online conversations. “It’s time we stop dragging women through controversies they didn’t create,” one fan tweeted. “Celebrate their work, their talent — not tear them down for choices they have every right to make.”
