After Deepika Padukone's exit, Katrina Kaif to join Spirit? Here's what we know

Katrina Kaif (Picture via Instagram)

Rumours of Katrina Kaif making her acting comeback with Prabhas' upcoming pan-India film Spirit have been put to rest after a source close to the actress dismissed the reports as baseless. The speculation began shortly after reports of Deepika Padukone's exit from the Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial, with several reports claiming Katrina had been approached for a key role.

Katrina Kaif to make a comeback with Spirit?

The buzz gained momentum because Spirit is one of the most anticipated films in Indian cinema. Starring Prabhas in the lead and Triptii Dimri as the female lead, the film has remained in the headlines due to its casting developments. Reports suggested that Katrina had been offered a pivotal appearance, which, if true, would have marked her return to Telugu cinema after nearly two decades.

However, a report by Hindustan Times has now rubbished the speculation, stating that there is no truth to the reports linking Katrina to the film.

"There is absolutely no truth to the claims being made about Katrina Kaif's future acting plans. The report is based entirely on speculation and misinformation, with no verification."

The clarification comes amid growing curiosity over Katrina's next professional move. The actress has largely stayed away from films since welcoming her son, Vihaan, with husband Vicky Kaushal in 2025. Since then, she has maintained a low profile and has not announced any upcoming projects. Earlier this year too, reports claiming she was planning an OTT comeback were similarly denied by her team.

All about the speculations

Speculation around Spirit intensified after Deepika Padukone's reported departure from the film. According to industry reports, the actress exited the project following disagreements over remuneration and work conditions. While the makers have not officially commented on the reasons behind her exit, the vacancy led to widespread rumours about who might join the cast next.

The possibility of Katrina stepping into the project excited fans because it would have reunited her with Telugu cinema after films like Malliswari and Allari Pidugu. It also fuelled hopes of her return to the big screen following her last release, Merry Christmas (2024), opposite Vijay Sethupathi.

For now, however, there is no official confirmation of Katrina joining Spirit. The latest clarification suggests that reports about her casting are unfounded, and fans will have to wait for an official announcement regarding both her comeback plans and the final cast of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's ambitious action drama.