The highly anticipated collaboration between director Sandeep Reddy Vanga and superstar Prabhas, titled Spirit, continues to dominate the casting rumour mill. Following the buzz generated by the official inclusion of Triptii Dimri and reports of an international antagonist, the most persistent speculation involved the potential casting of Megastar Chiranjeevi in a pivotal role, possibly as Prabhas's father.

Amidst the swirling speculation, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga has now stepped forward to set the record straight, providing a much-needed clarification that definitively shuts down the talk of a Megastar-Rebel Star on-screen reunion in Spirit.

The Megastar Rumour is Officially Dismissed

The rumour, which had gained significant traction online and in trade circles, suggested that Chiranjeevi would play a crucial, emotional role as the father of Prabhas’s character, possibly appearing in a flashback sequence. The prospect of two Tollywood giants sharing screen space, directed by the man behind the blockbuster Animal, was enough to fuel fervent excitement among fans.

However, during a recent interaction with the Jigris team, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, without ambiguity, clarified the situation. As quoted by Telugu media, the filmmaker stated that Chiranjeevi is not playing Prabhas’ father or any other role in Spirit. This straightforward denial officially puts an end to the speculation, allowing the focus to shift back to the film's confirmed cast and unique premise.

Vanga's confirmation, while disappointing for fans who hoped for the legendary pairing, emphasizes the director's commitment to the script and his vision for the action-thriller, which sees Prabhas playing an intense IPS officer who finds himself behind bars.

The International Villain Buzz: Don Lee's Possible Debut

While Vanga was clear about Chiranjeevi's non-involvement, he maintained a carefully calculated silence regarding another major international casting rumour: the possible Indian cinema debut of Korean action star Ma Dong-seok, also known globally as Don Lee (Train to Busan, Eternals).

Reports from Korean media and trade analysts suggest that Don Lee is being cast as the primary antagonist who will go toe-to-toe with Prabhas's character. When asked about the international star’s role, the filmmaker reportedly neither confirmed nor denied his involvement. This refusal to comment has only intensified the fan speculation, with many interpreting his silence as a strong indication that the international collaboration is indeed underway. Given Vanga’s penchant for grand, explosive action, the inclusion of a global action powerhouse like Don Lee would perfectly align with Spirit's pan-world ambitions.

Spirit: A Pan-India Powerhouse in the Making

The casting announcements so far, including the confirmed presence of Triptii Dimri as the female lead, and senior actors like Prakash Raj and Vivek Oberoi, already position Spirit as one of the most anticipated films of 2026. The film is set to be a multilingual venture, releasing in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and multiple foreign languages, including Korean.

Though the dream of seeing Chiranjeevi and Prabhas together remains unfulfilled for now, Vanga's focused approach on building a cast that serves his dark, high-octane narrative ensures that Spirit remains a highly explosive project set to challenge cinematic boundaries.
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