Deepika Padukone Out of Kalki 2898 AD Sequel: Makers Cite Commitment Issues

The makers of Kalki 2898 AD shocked fans with a major update, Deepika Padukone will not return for the sequel. Production house Vyjayanthi Movies announced the news on Thursday morning through a detailed note on X.

In their statement, they wrote, “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. A film like Kalki 2898 AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future works.”

Fans felt surprised by this announcement because Deepika played SUM-80 (Sumathi), the prophesied mother of Kalki, in the first film. Director Nag Ashwin delivered a massive box office hit in June 2024 with this sci-fi epic that blended mythology with a futuristic dystopian setting.

Reason Behind Deepika’s Exit

Industry sources revealed that the sequel’s shoot will begin at the end of this year, but Deepika already committed her dates to filmmaker Atlee’s project, reportedly titled AA22xA6 with Allu Arjun. Since both films planned to shoot around the same time, this clash created a major scheduling conflict. Vyjayanthi Movies had a fixed production schedule and refused to delay it, so they chose to recast her role.

A Pattern of Recent Setbacks

Deepika faced a similar situation earlier in 2024 when she exited Prabhas’ other film, Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Reports claimed she demanded shorter workdays post-motherhood and asked for a Rs 20 crore fee plus a share of profits, which led to disagreements. Sandeep expressed his frustration on X with a cryptic note, accusing an unnamed actor of disrespecting his story and commitment.

Fans React to the News

Fans reacted strongly to the update. Some praised the makers and argued that Deepika’s performance lacked emotional depth in the first film. Others criticized the decision, calling it a “big loss” since her character remained central to the story. Many now eagerly wait to see which actress will take over the role of SUM-80 in the sequel.

Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan will continue leading the film, as Vyjayanthi Movies promises another grand chapter in the ambitious Kalki 2898 AD universe.

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