Deepika Padukone Speaks Up After Her Kalki 2 Exit, Confirms King With SRK: 'Every Decision...'

Deepika Padukone has finally addressed her exit from the Kalki 2898 AD sequel and shared exciting news about reuniting with Shah Rukh Khan for King. Posting a picture showing their hands clasped together, she wrote, “The very first lesson he taught me almost 18 years ago while filming Om Shanti Om was that the experience of making a movie, and the people you make it with, matter far more than its success. I couldn’t agree more and have applied that learning to every decision I’ve made since. And that’s probably why we’re back making our 6th movie together?”

Deepika tagged SRK and added the hashtags #King and #Day1, signaling a fresh chapter in one of Bollywood’s most celebrated on-screen collaborations. King will mark her sixth project with the superstar

since their debut pairing in Om Shanti Om in 2007.

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About Deepika Padukone’s Kalki 2898 AD Sequel Exit
Vyjayanthi Movies confirmed Deepika’s exit from the Kalki 2898 AD sequel via an official note on X: “This is to officially announce that @deepikapadukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel of #Kalki2898AD. After careful consideration, we have decided to part ways. Despite the long journey of making the first film, we were unable to find a partnership. And a film like @Kalki2898AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future projects.”

Director Nag Ashwin also shared a cryptic post on Instagram, which went viral. Writing alongside a fan edit of Krishna’s entry, he noted, “You can’t change what happened, but you can choose what happens next,” leaving fans speculating if this was a subtle response to Deepika’s departure.

Why Deepika Made The Decision
Industry insiders recall that this isn’t Deepika’s first high-profile exit. Earlier in May, she walked away from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit over an eight-hour work demand, profit-sharing clauses, and her preference to prioritise motherhood while avoiding Telugu dialogues. Her decision to leave Kalki 2898 AD appears consistent with her philosophy of choosing projects that align with her vision and commitment.

Deepika’s fans have embraced the news of King, eager to see the chemistry she shares with SRK once again, while the discussions around her Kalki exit continue to dominate social media conversations.