Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, known for films like 'Animal' and 'Kabir Singh', is in the spotlight again. Frequently critiqued post their releases, his films have stirred controversy. But this time, Vanga is grabbing attention for his yet-to-be-made film 'Spirit'. The buzz revolves around its casting.
Recently, Sandeep confirmed on social media that Trupti Dimri will star alongside Prabhas in 'Spirit'. This announcement rocked film fans as it came with an explosive social media post from Vanga. Yet, this isn't the first time Sandeep has been seen in a temper. When angry, his demeanor exceeds the explosiveness of his film heroes.
Let’s explore the reason behind his current ire and the previous statements that bombarded social media.
The Source of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Fury
Vanga's next venture with Prabhas is titled 'Spirit'. Reports initially suggested Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone in a pivotal role. It was said that Deepika’s character would be one of the strongest female characters Sandeep Vanga has written.
Source: aajtak
Sandeep, critiqued for portraying 'alpha male' heroes, reportedly penned a strong female lead for 'Spirit'. However, news broke out that Deepika opted out citing discrepancies over fees and schedule, causing public discourse. Amidst this, Sandeep announced casting young actress Trupti Dimri in her place.
Reports began swirling that Trupti's role would involve intimate scenes with Prabhas, shifting the narrative's perception to an adult rating. Originally heralded for its 'solid writing', the role's portrayal seemed altered with Trupti joining.
Following this, Sandeep posted a social media note without naming any actress, 'I trust the actor 100% when narrating a story. We have an unspoken NDA, yet you spilled it. What does that say about you? You belittled a young actor and leaked my storyline? Is this your feminism? As a filmmaker, my craft is everything. You won't understand this. Say the whole story next time, I won't care. Dirty PR games. I love the saying - a cat scratches in spite.'
Sandeep's post didn’t mention anyone, but its tone led online readers to infer it targeted Deepika. The controversy sparked debates over the ongoing 'Spirit' casting saga, keeping film fans engaged.
Showdown with Kiran Rao
In 2024, Kiran Rao directed the Indian Oscar entry 'Lapata Ladies', and she is the former wife of Bollywood star Aamir Khan. Prior to her film’s release, Kiran labeled Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s 'Kabir Singh' as anti-women. During an interview post 'Animal', Sandeep was reminded of Kiran’s comments.
Source: aajtak
Vanga remarked, 'Some don't realize what they say. An article by an assistant director showed a superstar's ex-wife claiming films like 'Baahubali' and 'Kabir Singh' promote misogyny and stalking. There’s confusion between stalking and approach.'
He criticized Aamir Khan’s movie 'Dil', provoking, 'Ask her about the predatory scenes in the song ‘Khambe Jaisi Khadi Hai’ from 'Dil'. Then return to me. 'Dil' showed Aamir almost committing assault, leading to love. What’s with that?' His statement intensified social media backlash, escalating exchanges between Kiran and Sandeep.
Clash with Javed Akhtar
Legendary Bollywood writer and lyricist Javed Akhtar criticized 'Animal’s' lead character played by Ranbir Kapoor, calling the behavior 'dangerous'.
Source: aajtak
In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Sandeep responded that it hurt, 'He must not have watched the film. Anyone throwing stones at an art piece should look around first.'
Sandeep took a dig at Javed’s son, renowned filmmaker Farhan Akhtar, 'Why didn't he comment when Farhan made 'Mirzapur'? That series contains obscenities globally, and I didn’t watch it all. The Telugu translation is even more jarring. Why not check his son’s work?'
Sandeep’s Anger Towards Critics
While the audience showered love on 'Animal', critics slammed it as 'anti-women'. Sandeep expressed outrage over critics’ remarks in several interviews, calling critics 'illiterate' and 'jokers'.
He questioned a prominent critic on the inconsistency of ratings between ‘Sanju’ and ‘Kabir Singh’. Defying critics, he asserted, 'They lack sense in reviewing films. They focus on sensitive parts and react. Face-to-face conversations intimidate them.'
Sandeep's declarations reveal why his film heroes seem short-tempered. His remarks surpass the hot temperament of characters like Kabir Singh and Ranvijay Singh. 'Spirit' is still in production, promising more disputes on its completion.
