After her breakout in Animal, Tripti Dimri has now landed the female lead role in Prabhas’ next mega-project — ‘Spirit’, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. But what’s grabbed headlines is not just the casting switch from Deepika Padukone to Tripti, but the massive gap in remuneration.

Initially, Vanga approached Deepika Padukone to star opposite Prabhas in this ₹500 crore action-drama. But the deal reportedly fell apart due to Deepika's sky-high fee demand of ₹20 crore, along with other unconfirmed conditions. The talks didn’t progress — and that’s when Vanga turned to a familiar face: Tripti Dimri.

Having worked with Tripti in Animal, Vanga wasted no time. The actress reportedly agreed to the film without negotiations — and accepted a fee of just ₹4 crore, as per a Telugu360 report.

Amid speculation over Deepika’s exit, Vanga posted a cryptic tweet (without naming anyone), suggesting that ego and unreasonable demands won’t be entertained in his films. While he didn’t tag anyone, fans were quick to connect the dots.

Tripti Dimri’s rapid rise in the industry — from supporting roles to being Prabhas’ co-star — is no small feat. However, the 4-crore paycheck in a ₹500 crore project has sparked debate. Some critics say it's a win for budget efficiency, while others argue it reflects unequal pay structures in the industry.

• Prabhas will play a cop, a first under Sandeep’s direction.

• Film shoot begins later this year; release planned for 2026.

• Remaining cast and technicians are yet to be finalized.

• Tripti, meanwhile, has a packed calendar with multiple releases lined up.

Whether Tripti Dimri’s modest fee turns into a career-defining bargain or another example of cost-cutting at the expense of female leads — only time will tell. One thing’s certain: Spirit just got a lot more interesting.