Updated On: 19 January, 2026 09:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sandeep Reddy Vanga revealed how writing gaps, the pandemic and his preference for original storytelling led to Spirit with Prabhas. Rejecting a Hollywood remake, he said the film was born from a character-driven idea that instantly convinced the actor

Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Prabhas
Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga has opened up about his creative journey behind Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh, and Animal, while also revealing an interesting behind-the-scenes detail about how his much-anticipated collaboration with Prabhas, Spirit, came into being. In a candid conversation with Galatta India, the director spoke at length about writing struggles, the impact of the pandemic, and why he chose originality over a Hollywood remake.
Reflecting on his past films, Vanga explained how long gaps and interruptions shaped his writing process. “I think that’s what happened with Arjun Reddy, Kabir Singh was a remake, and then the pandemic happened. Even Animal, I took one to one-and-a-half years to write. I took a lot of time because right after Arjun, I started Kabir, and even during Kabir, the thought of Animal was there,” he shared. He added that he never consciously thought of another story during that phase, but the pandemic created unexpected pauses. “We got breaks, so many breaks,” he said.