Spirit First Look: Prabhas’ Lean Avatar and Wounded Look Remind Fans of Animal
Filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga kicked off 2026 with a bang by unveiling the first look of his upcoming film Spirit. The poster, released right at midnight on New Year’s Day, features Prabhas in an intense, raw avatar alongside Triptii Dimri. The image quickly went viral, drawing strong reactions from fans and celebrities alike.
Prabhas’ Rugged Look Takes Centre Stage
In the newly released poster, Prabhas is seen shirtless with his back turned to the camera, revealing bruises and bandages across his body. Despite the injuries, he appears unfazed, holding a bottle of alcohol in one hand while lighting a cigarette with the help of Triptii Dimri, who is dressed in a grey sari.
The actor’s lean and muscular physique immediately caught fans’ attention, with many comparing his transformation to his peak physical form during the Baahubali era. Several social media users praised his intense presence, calling it one of his strongest looks in recent years.
Animal Comparisons Flood Social Media
While many admired the visuals, a section of viewers drew parallels between Spirit and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s 2023 blockbuster Animal. The imagery of a wounded protagonist, the gritty tone, and Triptii Dimri’s presence reminded audiences of Ranbir Kapoor’s character arc in the film.
Some fans pointed out similarities to scenes from Animal, especially those involving Triptii’s character tending to a violent and emotionally damaged lead. A few users even questioned whether Spirit might follow a similar narrative path.
Celebrities React to the Poster
The poster also caught the attention of Bollywood celebrities. Katrina Kaif and Bobby Deol, who previously collaborated with Vanga on Animal, reacted to the first look with heart emojis, indicating their support and excitement for the project.
Triptii Dimri Replaces Deepika Padukone
Triptii Dimri stepped into the film after Deepika Padukone reportedly exited the project due to scheduling concerns and work-hour preferences. Given Triptii’s breakthrough performance in Animal, fans believe she fits seamlessly into Vanga’s cinematic universe.
Many on social media even suggested that Triptii appears more aligned with the film’s tone and character dynamics.
About the Film
Spirit is a cop drama directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and produced by Bhushan Kumar under T-Series in collaboration with Bhadrakali Pictures. Apart from Prabhas and Triptii Dimri, the film also stars Vivek Oberoi and Prakash Raj in key roles.
The film’s multilingual audio teaser was released earlier in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, further building anticipation among fans across India.
What Lies Ahead
With its intense visuals and controversial undertones, Spirit has already become one of the most talked-about films of 2026. Whether it can live up to the hype or escape comparisons with Animal remains to be seen, but the first look has undeniably set the tone for a bold and gritty cinematic experience.
