Bollywood legend Deepika Padukone is expected to receive the largest paycheck of her career for her upcoming film Spirit, where she will act opposite Telugu legend Prabhas and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. According to a number of reliable sources, including India Today and Pinkvilla, Deepika is going to be paid around Rs 20 crore for her role in this eagerly-awaited project, a record sum over even her most recent paycheck of her husband Ranveer Singh.
Spirit is an action-oriented police thriller that is going to be a "pakka commercial entertainer," with high-octane action paired with emotional content. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who has his own brand of movies like Animal and Arjun Reddy, the film will see Prabhas playing a dedicated and merciless cop. Deepika and Vanga will be on screen together for the first time, generating extra buzz for the film. Deepika was reportedly drawn to the movie because of the "well-written female role" and the multidimensional character she will be playing, which she had termed as "refreshing" and "intriguing.".
The shoot of the movie was initially planned to be commenced at the last quarter of 2024, but as Deepika got pregnant and there were conflicts in Deepika's pregnancy schedule, the shoot got postponed. With fresh timelines, Deepika agreed to join, taking a break from motherhood for the very first time for the silver screen. The actresses are particularly looking forward to seeing the on-screen sparks between Deepika and Prabhas, who had screen space in the 2024 blockbuster Kalki: 2898 AD.
Deepika's Rs 20 crore salary not only sets a new milestone in her career, but also makes her among the highest-paid female actresses in the Indian film industry. The fee is reportedly higher than what other top heroines like Priyanka Chopra and Alia Bhatt command, reflecting Deepika's consistent box office draw and star power. Such a hefty cheque, as per industry insiders, is testimony to her bankability and the huge expectations from Spirit.
Prabhas, fresh off the success of Kalki 2898 AD, is giving himself wholly to Spirit, director Vanga reportedly having requested him not to commit to anything else during the shooting schedule. The film is set to go on floors in mid-2025 with a worldwide release in the latter half of 2026. Spirit, as per Vanga, is about changing the cop drama genre with doses of heroism and adrenaline-driven action, with an aim to release a cinematic experience that finds appeal among the masses in India and worldwide.
The excitement for Spirit is fueled by the combination of Prabhas's mass base, Deepika's star importance, and Vanga's expertise. The movie is going to be one of the biggest business entertainers of the year, and expectations are high on its plot as well as performances.
Briefly, Deepika Padukone's entry into Spirit is a career milestone, with a record-breaking Rs 20 crore salary package a testament to her status as one of India's finest actresses. The pairing with Prabhas and Sandeep Reddy Vanga has generated massive buzz, setting the stage for a blockbuster that will try to blend action, drama, and strong character interpretations. The fans are eagerly waiting for the production and release of the movie, anticipating a cinematic experience that is worth the hype.
