Korean actor Don Lee, globally known for Train to Busan and Marvel’s Eternals, is reportedly all set to make his Indian cinema debut. According to Korean media, Don Lee will play the main antagonist in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit, starring Prabhas and Triptii Dimri in the lead roles. If confirmed, this collaboration would mark a historic India–Korea crossover — bringing one of Korea’s biggest action stars into Telugu cinema.
Don Lee to Play Villain Opposite Prabhas?
Korean entertainment community Muko posted on X on Tuesday, confirming Don Lee’s participation. The post, written in Korean, said,
마동석 인도영화 진출
《범죄도시》 시리즈의 천만 배우 마동석의 인도행이 확정 되었습니다.
《Spirit》라는 제목의 이 영화는 산딥 레디 방가 감독이 연출하고 《바후발리》로 유명한 스타 프라바스가 주연을 맡은 어두운 톤의 형사 범죄물이라고 합니다. 이 영화에서 마동석의 역할은… pic.twitter.com/ZBQKUx83Wg
— 무코 (@muko_kr) October 28, 2025
“This film, titled Spirit, is directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and stars Prabhas, famous for Baahubali, in a dark-toned detective crime drama. It is only known that Ma Dong-seok’s role in this film is a character who stands in opposition to the one played by Prabhas.”
Fans quickly noticed that Ma Dong-seok (Don Lee’s Korean name) had shared several posts about travelling to India. “Recently, Ma Dong-seok has been spotted posting on Instagram and other platforms, showing himself boarding a flight to India, and it turns out it was for this film,” the note added.
A Global Collaboration in the Making
The Korean report described Sandeep Reddy Vanga as “one of the most controversial commercial directors in recent times,” citing the massive success of his past films Animal and Arjun Reddy.
If Don Lee’s casting is confirmed, Spirit would become one of the most ambitious cross-cultural projects in Indian cinema, blending Korean action intensity with Vanga’s raw storytelling. However, the report also mentioned that it is not yet confirmed whether Spirit will see a theatrical release in Korea.
Spirit Teaser and Star Cast
The audio teaser of Spirit was unveiled last week on Prabhas’ birthday, giving fans a glimpse into the film’s tone and scale. The teaser introduced the world of Spirit through Prabhas’ powerful voiceover but revealed little about the storyline.
The teaser and official announcement revealed the primary cast, which includes Prabhas, Triptii Dimri, Prakash Raj, and Vivek Oberoi. However, Don Lee’s name was notably missing, which now aligns with reports suggesting his casting was still under wraps at the time.
The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release in 2026, making it one of the most anticipated Indian films of the year.
A New Era for Pan-Asian Cinema
If Don Lee’s role in Spirit is officially confirmed, it will mark a new chapter in Pan-Asian collaborations, merging Korean star power with South Indian filmmaking. The crossover could open doors for larger-scale partnerships between India and Korea in the entertainment industry.
Given Prabhas’ global fan base and Vanga’s track record of creating emotionally charged, high-octane dramas, Spirit could set a new benchmark for international cinematic partnerships.
