Mumbai, 7 April 2025: This year was a mixed bag for Rashmika Mandanna, who surprised everyone with her spectacular success in Bollywood and South cinema. While her films were making a splash at the box office in the last two years, her recent release ‘Sikandar’ with Salman Khan did not live up to expectations. The effect of this failure is now seen on the next big project of her career. It is reported that Rashmika’s name is on the verge of being dropped from Prabhas’ 400 crore mega film ‘Spirit’. Is this the result of the failure of ‘Sikandar’, or are there some other reasons behind it? Let’s understand this story closely.

Rashmika’s golden period and sudden halt

Rashmika Mandanna’s box office charm was worth watching in recent years. In the year 2023, ‘Animal’ with Ranbir Kapoor earned Rs 917 crore worldwide. After this, the character of Shrivalli in ‘Pushpa 2: The Rule’ broke all records, the film did a business of Rs 1871 crore and became the second highest grossing film of the country. This year ‘Chhava’ with Vicky Kaushal also crossed the Rs 800 crore mark. Rashmika earned a total of more than Rs 3500 crore from these three films. But ‘Sikander’ with Salman Khan dashed her hopes. This film could not reach the figure of Rs 200 crore, which gave a setback to Rashmika’s blockbuster series.

Why can Prabhas be cut from ‘Spirit’?

Prabhas is currently busy preparing for his next big film ‘Spirit’. Prabhas will be seen in the role of a strong police officer in this film directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. After the success of ‘Animal’, Vanga’s next offering is being prepared with a huge budget of Rs 400 crore. According to reports, the makers had first chosen Rashmika to pair with Prabhas. The decision seemed natural considering her consecutive hit films and popularity among the audience. A source said, “Rashmika was almost finalized at a fee of Rs 4 crore. The film also has a strong love story, for which her screen presence was perfect.”

But the failure of ‘Sikandar’ raised questions in front of the makers. Cinema analyst Deepak Sharma says, “In big budget films, the recent box office performance of the heroine plays an important role. The flop of ‘Sikandar’ can prove to be detrimental for Rashmika.” If reports are to be believed, the makers are now looking for another actress, although it has not been officially confirmed.

Is ‘Sikandar’ the real reason?

‘Sikander’s’ poor performance at the box office has become a problem for Rashmika, but is this the only reason? Some experts believe that the matter is not limited to just one film. An industry insider, on the condition of anonymity, said, “Rashmika’s dates and number of projects can also be a reason. She has time only after June, while the shooting of ‘Spirit’ is planned to start soon. The makers probably do not want to take risks.” Apart from this, in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s films, the depth of the characters and the demand of the script are also important in the selection of an actress. In such a situation, it would be premature to say that ‘Sikander’ is the only reason for her ouster.

A ray of hope still remains

All hopes are not lost for Rashmika. Sources have revealed that the makers have not yet taken a final decision. If her dates and the requirements of the project match, then the matter can move forward. There has been no statement from Rashmika’s team in this regard, due to which the market of speculation is hot. Her fans are constantly expressing hope for her comeback on social media. A fan wrote, “The queen of 3500 crores cannot be judged by one film. Rashmika will return soon.”

Challenge in front of Rashmika

Rashmika Mandanna’s career is at a crucial juncture right now. While her previous films made her a box office sensation, the failure of ‘Sikander’ has raised questions. Prabhas’ ‘Spirit’ could have been a big opportunity for her, but now this dream seems to be hanging in the balance. Will she recover from this setback and shine again? This question is in everyone’s mind. At present, the next update is awaited from the makers and Rashmika, which can give a new color to this story.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes. Confirm the final decision related to the film from official sources only.