The new year has kicked off with a bang for Indian cinema as Sandeep Reddy Vanga officially unveiled the first-look poster of his highly anticipated cop thriller, Spirit, at the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2026.
The poster, which has immediately gone viral, features a “bruised and battered” Prabhas in a raw, intense avatar, alongside the film’s leading lady, Triptii Dimri.
1. The First Look: “Ajanubahu” Arrives
Sandeep Reddy Vanga shared the poster on social media with the powerful caption: “INDIAN CINEMA… witness your AJANUBAHUDU / AJANUBAHU. Happy New Year 2026.”
- The Visual: The poster depicts a wounded Prabhas standing by a window, bare-chested and wearing dark sunglasses, holding a bottle of liquor. Triptii Dimri is seen beside him, lighting his cigarette—a provocative visual that has already sparked comparisons to the dark, gritty aesthetic of Vanga’s previous blockbuster, Animal.
- The Character: Prabhas portrays a “rebellious and complex” IPS officer. An earlier audio teaser (released on his birthday) hinted that his character might be a hot-headed officer currently behind bars, ending with the chilling line: “Right from childhood, I have one bad habit.”
2. Cast and Crew
The film boasts a stellar ensemble cast, bringing together some of the biggest names in the industry:
- Female Lead: Triptii Dimri officially replaced Deepika Padukone in May 2025 following reports of scheduling and contractual conflicts. This marks Triptii’s second collaboration with Vanga after her breakout role in Animal.
- Antagonist: Vivek Oberoi is set to play a pivotal role, reportedly as a powerful antagonist with a “completely unrecognizable” look.
- Supporting Cast: The film also stars veterans Prakash Raj, Kanchana, and Kareena Kapoor Khan (in a rumored crucial role).
- Music: Harshavardhan Rameshwar, who composed the haunting score for Animal, is returning to provide the music for Spirit.
3. Production and Release Status
- Filming: Official production began in November 2025 in Hyderabad. The team has reportedly already wrapped up intense jail sequences and several dialogue-heavy scenes between Prabhas and Triptii.
- Scale: Backed by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures, Spirit is being mounted as a massive Pan-India project, set to release in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and even select foreign languages like Chinese and Japanese.
- Release Date: While the makers have not officially locked a date, industry reports suggest a grand theatrical release on May 14, 2026, or potentially in the second half of the year.
Prabhas’ Busy 2026 Slate
Spirit is just one of the massive projects the “Rebel Star” has lined up for the year:
- The Raja Saab: A fantasy horror-comedy directed by Maruthi, featuring Sanjay Dutt.
- Fauzi: A period action drama where Prabhas plays an Azad Hind soldier.
- Kalki 2898 AD – Part 2: The much-awaited sequel to the 2024 sci-fi epic.
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