Producer Pranay Reddy Vanga Challenges Critics to "Kill" Prabhas's Spirit

Producer Pranay Reddy Vanga has openly challenged film critics ahead of the release of Spirit, the upcoming action drama starring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Pranay, who is Sandeep’s brother, said reviewers could attempt to “kill” the film with their criticism once it reaches theatres, adding another layer of controversy around the highly anticipated project.

His remarks came while he was discussing Romanchakam, his latest production, which was released on September 3 and received mixed reviews. Speaking about the criticism faced by the film, Pranay questioned whether reviewers fully understood the challenges involved in bringing a movie from script to screen and the difficulties directors and production teams face during the filmmaking process.

Pranay said that people could better understand the effort involved in cinema if they experienced film production themselves. He argued that making a film requires directors to execute written material while dealing with numerous practical and creative obstacles. Referring to the criticism directed at his recent production, he challenged critics to demonstrate their influence when Spirit is released.

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He reportedly used the phrase “kill the spirit” while addressing reviewers and suggested that the performance of the upcoming film would provide an opportunity to judge whether critics could significantly affect its reception. His comments have drawn attention because Spirit has already generated considerable anticipation due to its cast, director and reports about its intense and violent content.

Spirit marks the first collaboration between Prabhas and Sandeep Reddy Vanga. The film is expected to feature Prabhas in the role of a powerful police officer, while Triptii Dimri is set to play the female lead. Vivek Oberoi and Prakash Raj are also part of the cast in important roles. The film has remained in the spotlight following changes to its lead pairing after Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from the project.

The casting change had earlier triggered debate over remuneration, working hours and profit-sharing arrangements. Pranay had previously claimed that remuneration and scheduling were among the reasons for the change, while reports also linked the controversy to Deepika’s alleged demand for a share of the film’s profits. The issue gained further attention after Deepika interacted with a social media post defending her position.

Sandeep Reddy Vanga had also previously indicated that Spirit’s intense and violent content could lead to an adult certification. With the film scheduled for a theatrical release on March 5, 2027, Pranay’s comments have added to the growing public discussion surrounding the project, which is being closely watched for both its scale and the controversies connected to its production.

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