Deepika Padukone Out of Kalki 2: The Full Story Behind Her Exit and What It Means for the Sequel

Deepika Padukone from Kalki 2898 AD

In a surprising turn of events for fans and the film industry, Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has officially exited the sequel to the blockbuster film “Kalki 2898 AD.” The announcement by the production house Vyjayanthi Movies on September 18, 2025, confirmed that Deepika will not be part of “Kalki 2” due to an inability to find a partnership that meets the film’s high demands of commitment. This development has sent shockwaves across Bollywood and Tollywood, given the star power and significance of her character in the original film. This article explores the reasons behind her departure, its implications for the sequel, and the larger context of her professional year.

“Kalki 2898 AD” marked a major milestone in Indian cinema, hailed for its grand scale, stellar cast, and visual effects. Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film starred Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, who made her South Indian debut with this high-budget science fiction and mythological epic. Deepika played SUM-80 (Sumathi), a pivotal character believed to be the prophesied mother of Kalki — the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu destined to restore righteousness.

The original film’s success, both commercially and critically, set high expectations for the sequel. Deepika’s character was central to the storyline’s continuity and philosophical depth, making her involvement in the sequel highly anticipated by fans and industry insiders alike.

The Official Announcement and Its Aftermath

Vyjayanthi Movies took to their official social media handle to announce the split with Deepika Padukone. The statement was diplomatic yet firm, emphasizing that despite a long journey with the actress through the making of the first film, a partnership could not be forged for the sequel. “A film like Kalki 2898 AD deserves that commitment and much more,” the makers wrote, expressing good wishes for her future projects.

Industry insiders quickly linked Deepika’s exit to a combination of scheduling conflicts, professional demands, and commitment concerns. Unlike typical exit rumors, Vyjayanthi’s official confirmation put an end to speculation, although detailed reasons were not extensively disclosed.

What Led to Deepika Padukone’s Exit?

According to multiple sources and reports, several factors contributed to Deepika’s departure from “Kalki 2898 AD Part 2”:

• Fee Demand and Work Hours:

  Deepika reportedly demanded a 25% increase in her acting fee compared to her payment for the first part. Coupled with this was her insistence on limiting her daily shoot schedule to just seven hours, which was challenging for a VFX-intensive and action-heavy film like Kalki.

• Production Negotiations:

  The producers reportedly offered comforts such as a luxury vanity van for resting during shoots if she agreed to extend her working hours. However, she declined these offers. Additionally, while co-star Prabhas did not ask for a fee hike, Deepika’s team remained firm on their demands.

• Entourage and Accommodation Demands:

  Deepika travels with a sizable entourage, reportedly comprising 25 people. Her team demanded five-star accommodation and reimbursement of food expenses for the entire group, adding to the production’s financial burden.

• Scheduling Conflicts with Other Projects:

  It is also understood that Deepika’s dates were locked for another big project with filmmaker Atlee, which overlapped with Kalki’s planned shooting schedule, leading to logistical complications.

• Commitment and Compatibility:

  The core issue cited by Vyjayanthi Movies boiled down to a partnership issue — the level of commitment and alignment expected from an actor of such stature in a project of this scale. The long shooting schedules and the nature of the film posed significant demands that the makers felt were not mutually agreeable.

Deepika’s exit leaves a significant void in the sequel’s casting. Given her character’s narrative importance, the makers face the critical task of recasting or restructuring the storyline to fill the gap. Fans are eager to know who will step into her shoes and how the mythological and futuristic saga will move forward without one of its key protagonists.

Industry experts see this development as a complex negotiation scenario reflecting evolving actor-producer relationships in Indian cinema—a mix of rising star power, professional standards, work-life balance demands, and budget considerations.