Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga ushered in the New Year by dropping the highly anticipated first look poster of his upcoming cop drama, Spirit, starring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri. Released precisely at midnight as 2026 began, the poster instantly set social media ablaze, with reactions sharply divided between admiration for Prabhas' transformed physique and criticism over its perceived similarities to Vanga's previous blockbuster, Animal.
Decoding The First Look: Bruises, Bandages, and a Cigarette
The poster presents a striking visual. Prabhas is seen shirtless with his back to the camera, revealing a torso covered in bruises and bandages, suggesting a character who has endured significant physical trauma. Despite his wounded state, he holds a bottle of alcohol in one hand, while the other rests on his waist. Triptii Dimri, clad in a grey sari, is shown in a subservient pose, lighting a cigarette for Prabhas. This dynamic immediately drew parallels to her role in Animal, where her character, Zoya, tended to a wounded Ranbir Kapoor.
Polarized Fan Reactions: Peak Physique vs. Deja Vu
The internet's response was a study in contrasts. Many fans celebrated Prabhas' lean and mean physical transformation, hailing it as a return to the actor's iconic Baahubali-era form. Social media was flooded with comments praising his dedication and predicting a powerful performance.
However, a significant section of viewers expressed disappointment, calling the visual derivative. They pointed out the uncanny resemblance to scenes from the second half of Animal. The act of Triptii's character lighting Prabhas' cigarette reminded many of the controversial scene from Vanga's last film where Ranbir Kapoor's character demands a shoe kiss as a loyalty test. The casting of Triptii in both films further fueled these comparisons, with some users sharing side-by-side GIFs of the two looks.
Behind the Scenes: Casting Shifts and Audio Teasers
The poster also reignited discussions about the film's casting journey. Originally, Deepika Padukone was slated to play the female lead opposite Prabhas. However, she exited the project months later due to reported logistical concerns, including demands for an eight-hour work shift. Vanga promptly offered the role to Triptii Dimri, who accepted, fresh from the breakthrough success of Animal.
The film, a collaboration between Bhushan Kumar's T-Series and Vanga's Bhadrakali Pictures, also features Vivek Oberoi in a key role, reportedly as an antagonist. An audio teaser released in October 2025 on Prabhas' birthday revealed that his character is an IPS officer currently imprisoned, hinting at a dark narrative with the tagline, "Right from childhood, I have one bad habit." Vivek Oberoi expressed his excitement about the project on social media, praising the "powerful sound-story."
With its first look, Spirit has successfully captured attention, but it has also set a high bar for originality. As the film progresses towards its release, all eyes will be on Sandeep Reddy Vanga to see if he can deliver a cop drama that stands distinct from the shadow of his own controversial hit.
