From Gully Boy to Spirit: Who is Aishwarya Desai? Joins Vanga’s ‘Spirit’ Alongside Vivek Oberoi
Trust BoxOfficeWala on Google
Get the most accurate box office data and movie results directly in your search feed.
Mumbai, Friday, 27 February 2026 — Sandeep Reddy Vanga has just shattered the internet again by dropping the first look of Vivek Oberoi in his upcoming pan-India spectacle ‘Spirit,’ but the real talk in the industry isn’t just about Vivek’s sword; it’s about the glamorous mystery woman sitting at the table, Aishwarya Desai.
In a dark, purple-soaked noir poster released this evening at 8pm IST, Vivek Oberoi stands tall in a textured velvet robe, cigar in hand, while newcomer Aishwarya Desai adds a layer of dangerous elegance that has fans questioning her role in this Prabhas-starrer actioner slated for a March 5, 2027 release. This isn’t just a casting update; it’s a calculated move to expand Vanga’s “bad habit” universe with a fresh face who might just be the catalyst for the psychological drama that awaits us.
The poster radiates power and peril, showing Vivek as a menacing antagonist in a shadow-filled chamber where Desai is seen crushing narcotics or examining documents with unsettling calm.
This news matters to the industry because Sandeep Reddy Vanga has a history of turning forgotten or underutilized actors into cult icons—look at what he did for Bobby Deol in ‘Animal’ with minimal screen time. The fan wars are already heating up because a section of the internet was convinced that the makers would reveal Korean action star Don Lee, but Vanga chose to pivot back to home-grown intensity with a fresh twist. By introducing Aishwarya Desai alongside a veteran like Vivek, Vanga is signalling that ‘Spirit’ will not just be about Prabhas’ fierce cop character but about a sophisticated, layered mafia syndicate that feels more international than traditional Bollywood.
Fans are already dissecting the “purple aesthetic” of the poster, wondering if it hints at a specific drug cartel or a royal lineage of crime that Prabhas will have to dismantle.
Aishwarya Desai is not just “another girl in a Vanga film.” She is the “femme fatale” who will likely have more agency than the lead heroes expect.
While the industry is obsessed with the alpha-male energy of Prabhas and Vivek, the smartest play here is the introduction of an Indian-American actor with a marketing background from the University of Maryland.
Vanga is known for his volatile and bruised characters, but the silence of the woman in this poster feels more threatening than the sword in Vivek’s hand.
Is Vanga preparing us for a world where the women are the true architects of the crime, or is she just a distraction for the real “Bad Habit” coming our way?
My take
The Casting Evidence: Who Exactly is Aishwarya Desai?
Aishwarya Desai is an Indian-American actor and model who is steadily making her mark, previously appearing in the critically acclaimed film ‘Gully Boy’ and the award-winning short film ‘Rat in the Kitchen.’
She actually holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Maryland, showing a blend of academic excellence and artistic ambition. This isn’t a random casting; it’s a strategic entry into a high-profile project that could mark her breakthrough moment in mainstream cinema.
While Triptii Dimri plays the main female lead, Desai’s presence in Vivek Oberoi’s character poster suggests she belongs to the antagonist’s inner circle, potentially playing a pivotal and layered role in the narrative.
Vanga’s ‘Spirit’ Antagonist Reveal: Vivek Oberoi’s Dashing Return
The makers of ‘Spirit’ have officially introduced Vivek Oberoi as the primary antagonist. In the striking visual, Oberoi exudes commanding screen presence and gravitas, dressed in a sharp purple suit or robe that makes him look like a sophisticated gangster.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga confirmed the news on X, stating, “Presenting you all, the antagonist of the film SPIRIT. Mr. Vivek Anand Oberoi.” This marks a major moment for Vivek, who has often praised Vanga’s commitment to his craft in interviews. Per a report by Cinema Express, Vivek even shared an inspirational story about how Vanga’s family once sold ancestral land to finish ‘Arjun Reddy,’ highlighting the infectious and electrifying passion that Vivek is now bringing to the ‘Spirit’ sets.
Data Points: The Global Ambition of Spirit
The film is being mounted as a large-scale pan-world entertainer and will be released in eight different languages. This underlines the ambition of producers Bhushan Kumar and Pranay Reddy Vanga to reach global markets with the same impact that ‘Animal’ had.
Prabhas is reportedly playing an IPS officer and has lost significant weight to achieve a lean, fierce look for the role. The “One Bad Habit” tagline is already a hit, with an audio teaser featuring a conversation between a jailer and an assistant about an ex-cop in remand.
Interestingly, veteran actor Prakash Raj is no longer part of the project after a reported disagreement over the script, as confirmed by latest cast updates where his name was conspicuously absent.
The Production Timeline: Looking Toward 2027
‘Spirit’ went on floors in November 2025 and is currently in the thick of its production schedule. The background score is being composed by Harshavardhan Rameshwar, who is expected to bring the same raw emotion and explosive energy he gave to Vanga’s previous hits.
The film is jointly produced by T-Series Films and Bhadrakali Pictures, promising a cinematic experience that explores morality and violence on a grand scale. As the world prepares for the March 5, 2027 release, the focus remains on the “calculated menace” of the villains and the debut of fresh faces like Aishwarya Desai.
Bottom Line
This is extremely good news for the industry. Vanga is proving that he doesn’t need to rely on the same five actors for every big film. By casting Vivek Oberoi as a menacing antagonist, he is tapping into a reservoir of talent that has been waiting for the right “dark” role. Aishwarya Desai’s debut is the cherry on top; it shows that ‘Spirit’ is looking for “vibe” and “swag” over just traditional star power. It feels like a fresh, dangerous start for 2026.
Original Source: First reported by Sandeep Reddy Vanga on his official X handle and expanded upon by Hollywood Reporter India.
Question For You: Do you think Aishwarya Desai will turn out to be the real villain behind Vivek Oberoi, or is she just part of the atmospheric world-building Vanga is known for?
🔥 Latest Box Office News
About the Author
Join BoxOfficeWala
Get Box Office Updates Directly on Whatsapp from Your Personal Box Office Insider
