The sequel to Kalki 2898 AD has run into unexpected turbulence. On Thursday, production house Vyjayanthi Movies confirmed that Deepika Padukone, who played Sumati in the blockbuster’s first instalment,
will not return for the second part.
The official note on X read: “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.” The news left fans stunned, given Deepika’s central role in the 2023 hit.
Just hours later, director Nag Ashwin fuelled further speculation. He shared a fan edit of Krishna’s entry from Kalki 2898 AD on Instagram with the caption: “You can’t change what happened, but you can choose what happens next.” The cryptic line instantly caught traction on Reddit, where fans debated whether the post was a veiled response to Deepika’s exit.
Reports soon followed, claiming that the split was not creative but financial. A Bollywood Hungama source alleged, “Deepika Padukone demanded a 25 per cent increment on the acting fees she was paid for the first part of the film. That’s not all, she put her foot down on shooting for just 7 hours a day. Given that Kalki 2898 AD is a VFX heavy film, such short shoots was likely to shoot up the budget by a reasonable amount.”
The insider added that while the producers offered luxury amenities to offset longer hours, Deepika’s team stayed firm on their terms. “They also tried to negotiate finances, given that even Prabhas had not asked for an increment in fees. She and her team refused to adjust on either,” the source explained.
The same report also claimed that Deepika travels with an entourage of 25 people. Reportedly, the actress was also demanding five-star accommodation and reimbursement for food throughout the shoot for her team. While the producers tried to negotiate with her and requested her to reduce the team strength, Deepika was firm with her demands.
“Deepika’s team is a big one with almost 25 people travelling with her on the sets. They demanded a five-star accommodation and reimbursement for food through the shoot for her entourage. Why should the producers pay for the stay and food of an actor, over and above the fees? This is an issue that a lot of Hindi producers also face,” the insider added.
For now, the makers of Kalki 2 will press ahead with the project, but without one of its biggest names. Fans are now left to wonder who could replace Deepika in the ambitious sequel.
