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When filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga was once asked what prompted him to cast Bobby Deol opposite Ranbir Kapoor in Animal, he revealed that the inspiration came from an unexpected source: a photograph.

He had come across an image of Bobby from a celebrity cricket league, where the actor’s intense expression and raw emotion caught his eye.

© X/Wellu

That one picture changed everything for Bobby Deol. Animal became a massive success, reigniting his career and leading to another triumph with The Ba***ds of Bollywood.

Now, fans can’t help but wonder, ‘What Animal did for Bobby, can Spirit do the same for Vivek Oberoi?’

Vivek Oberoi burst onto the Bollywood scene with a stellar debut in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company, which earned him instant acclaim. He followed it up with memorable performances in Saathiya and Dum, proving his versatility as an actor. However, after his much-publicised fallout with Salman Khan, his career took a downward turn. Despite delivering impressive performances in Shootout at Lokhandwala and Omkara, Vivek’s success remained limited to critical praise rather than box-office numbers. Eventually, he found himself confined to the Masti comedy franchise, far from the powerful roles he once commanded.

© Maruti International

Post-Krrish 3 in 2013, Vivek’s visibility in mainstream Bollywood faded. Instead, he turned to South Indian cinema, often portraying formidable villains. His negative roles in Vivegam (opposite Ajith Kumar), Lucifer (with Mohanlal and Prithviraj), Vinaya Vidheya Rama (starring Ram Charan), and Kaduva (again with Prithviraj Sukumaran) showcased his talent and adaptability, but a true comeback role still eluded him.

That’s where Spirit might change everything. Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Prabhas, the film is already one of the most anticipated Indian releases. While details of Vivek Oberoi’s role remain under wraps, his inclusion in the official announcement video has sparked excitement. Whether he plays the antagonist or a pivotal supporting character, one thing is certain; this could be the powerful comeback Bollywood denied him for years.

If Bobby Deol’s resurgence began with Animal, perhaps Spirit will mark Vivek Oberoi’s long-overdue redemption arc.