June 7, 2025: Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has set the internet ablaze with her fierce entry into director Atlee’s upcoming Telugu magnum opus, tentatively titled AA22xA6. In a video released Saturday morning by Sun Pictures, the makers officially announced her as the female lead — and fans are already calling it the “comeback clapback” of the year.
The teaser video, which quickly began trending across platforms, opens with Deepika in a casual yet charged conversation with Atlee. The scene then cuts to dramatic concept sketches of her character — a battle-hardened warrior, leaping mid-air, wielding a battle axe. Deepika is seen rehearsing those very moves in a studio space under Atlee’s guidance, the intensity of her preparation evident in every frame.
The caption from Sun Pictures read: “The Queen marches to conquer!❤🔥 Welcome onboard @deepikapadukone ✨#TheFacesOfAA22xA6. #AA22xA6 – A Magnum Opus from Sun Pictures💥.” And it couldn’t have been more on point.
Deepika’s Exit from Spirit and the Noise That Followed
This announcement comes hot on the heels of Deepika’s controversial exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s much-talked-about action thriller Spirit, starring Prabhas. Though initially confirmed for the role earlier this year, Deepika stepped away from the project in May. Reports emerged that she was deemed “unprofessional” by the makers for insisting on 8-hour workdays — a move that many industry insiders and fans defended, considering she recently became a mother.
Another alleged point of contention? Deepika reportedly expressed reluctance to deliver dialogues in Telugu — a claim that caused a stir online. Director Vanga later accused her of leaking the film’s story, a move that added fuel to the fire. Eventually, rising star Triptii Dimri was brought in as her replacement. However, Spirit has yet to go on floors, further intensifying scrutiny around the saga.
Reddit Weighs In: Atlee vs. Vanga?
As Deepika joins a high-profile Telugu project just weeks after leaving another, internet sleuths were quick to call out the double standards. On Reddit, one user observed, “Vanga was not ok with her demands. But, Atlee is ok with it. That’s the only difference.” Another commented, “Doesn’t that just show Vanga was lying?”
While Deepika has chosen not to address the Spirit controversy publicly, her poised and powerful entrance into AA22xA6 seems to do all the talking.
A Warrior, A Statement
More than just a casting update, Deepika’s AA22xA6 announcement feels like a narrative pivot — a reclamation of agency in an industry still wrestling with outdated expectations. She’s not just playing a warrior; she’s becoming one, both on and off screen.
With Atlee known for his stylized storytelling and big-budget spectacles (Jawan, Bigil), and Sun Pictures backing the venture, AA22xA6 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated films of 2026. And with Deepika leading the charge, audiences might be witnessing not just a film, but a redefining moment in modern Indian cinema.
Stay tuned — the Queen has only just begun her march.
