Speculation is rife in industry circles over Prakash Raj’s reported exit from Spirit, the much-anticipated project starring Prabhas and directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
The buzz intensified after a newly released poster featuring Vivek Oberoi, in which Prakash Raj was neither seen nor tagged, fuelling rumours that he may no longer be part of the film.
Earlier, Prakash Raj had stated that he had not yet begun shooting for Spirit.
However, fresh gossip suggests that director Sandeep Reddy Vanga allegedly asked the actor to refrain from making political statements in public, citing concerns that potential controversies could affect the film.
According to rumours, Prakash Raj did not give such an assurance, leading to speculation that he was being replaced. There has been no official confirmation so far, and the makers have remained tight-lipped.
A source claimed, “Prakash Raj has been making strong and critical comments against the Prime Minister during public events. While critics accuse him of making irresponsible remarks, Prakash Raj maintains that it is a citizen’s duty to question those in power and has repeatedly said he will continue to speak against what he believes are wrong decisions.”
The actor has also taken sharp digs at Pawan Kalyan in the past. However, this did not prevent Pawan Kalyan from working with him in films such as Vakeel Saab and They Call Him OG.
Director Harish Shankar, while speaking about Ustaad Bhagat Singh and OG, recently pointed out that Pawan Kalyan clearly separates his political life from his film career.
He cited Prakash Raj’s casting in major projects as evidence that professional commitment to cinema outweighs ideological differences.
Harish Shankar further noted that despite their public and often heated ideological clashes, Pawan Kalyan and Prakash Raj maintained a strictly professional relationship on set, focusing only on performance and entertainment.
Meanwhile, a noted producer offered a different perspective, saying, “We don’t know the real reason behind this development. It is possible that Prabhas and director Sandeep Reddy Vanga are unwilling to take risks with such a high-profile project. With hundreds of crores at stake, they may want to avoid any unnecessary negativity surrounding Spirit.”
Until an official statement is issued, Prakash Raj’s status in Spirit continues to remain a subject of speculation.