Recent reports from industry sources have confirmed a change in the cast for Sandeep Reddy Vanga's upcoming film, Spirit. Actor Prakash Raj has reportedly exited the project following a disagreement regarding his public appearances. The director had apparently requested that the actor stay away from controversial comments and political interviews until the film was released to avoid any negative impact. Prakash Raj declined this request, stating his personal opinions are separate from his professional work, which led the producers to officially clarify that he is no longer part of the movie.
This cast change comes at a time when the pressure on Prabhas to deliver a massive hit is higher than ever. His previous release, The Raja Saab, did not perform as expected at the box office, which has shifted all eyes toward Spirit as his primary comeback vehicle. Despite recent fluctuations in his filmography, Prabhas continues to hold records that remain untouched by any other Indian star. He is currently the only actor in Indian cinema history to have six films achieve a worldwide opening of over 100 crore on Day 1, including Kalki 2898 AD, Salaar, Adipurush, Saaho, Baahubali 2 and The Raja Saab. Furthermore, the footfall record for Baahubali 2—which saw over 10 crore tickets sold—is a benchmark that has not been shattered in the modern era, setting an incredibly high bar for Spirit to clear.
The situation becomes even more competitive when looking at the release calendar. Spirit is officially locked for a worldwide theatrical release on March 5, 2027. This date puts it in a direct clash with Salman Khan’s next massive pan-Indian project, currently titled SVC63. Produced by Dil Raju and directed by Vamshi Paidipally, Salman's film also stars Nayanthara and is specifically targeting that same window to take advantage of the Eid festival weekend.
Salman Khan has established a historic and highly successful relationship with Eid releases over the last fifteen years. This trend effectively began in 2009 with the release of Wanted, which set the standard for the festival window. For a long period, Salman maintained an incredible 82 percent success ratio for films dropping during this holiday, making it the most lucrative period of his career. During his peak dominance, he delivered a consistent string of massive blockbusters like Dabangg, Bodyguard, Ek Tha Tiger, and Kick, reaching a career high with all-time blockbusters like Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan.
However, the narrative around his festival dominance has shifted slightly in recent years. While he remains a major draw, his recent track record shows some inconsistency. For example, his 2023 release, Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, struggled to find its footing and was ultimately declared a below Average. Similarly, his 2025 release, Sikandar, also failed to meet the high commercial expectations of the trade and ended its run as a flop. Despite these recent misses, Salman's ability to pull in massive opening numbers remains a major factor. This consistency over a long period makes him a formidable opponent for any film releasing on the same day, as his core audience still shows up in huge numbers for the festival celebration.
Looking back at 2015 - That year, Baahubali: The Beginning and Bajrangi Bhaijaan were released just one week apart in July. Both movies went on to become the biggest hits of their respective careers. However, in 2027, there will be no one-week gap. By releasing on the exact same day, both stars are entering a direct head-to-head battle for screens and audience footfall. With both Prabhas and Salman Khan bringing massive star power to the table, the industry is waiting to see who will ultimately be the box office king this Eid.
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