Why Deepika Padukone Removed from Kalki 2898 AD Sequel? Here’s the Reason

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone will not be part of the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD. While Vyjayanthi Movies, the film’s production house, confirmed her exit in an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), multiple reports have suggested that high demands and creative changes led to her removal from the project.

Official Announcement

On Thursday, Vyjayanthi Movies released a statement that 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. 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.”

The Reported Reason

According to reports, Deepika’s exit came after a series of demands that producers found difficult to accommodate. Sources claimed that while she charged around INR 20 crore for the first film, she was demanding INR 25–30 crore for the sequel.

In addition to the salary hike, the actress allegedly set conditions of working only seven hours a day, with the production house covering all expenses for her 25-member crew, including travel, food, and 5-star accommodation.

An insider revealed Deepika Padukone wanted a 25 per cent increase in her acting fee compared to what she earned for the first part of the film. Additionally, she insisted on limiting her daily shooting schedule to a 7-hour shift. The producers offered her the convenience of a luxury vanity for rest periods in exchange for longer working hours, but she declined. She wanted 5-star stays for her 25-person crew. There were just too many demands. This raised concerns among producers who questioned why they should bear additional costs beyond the actor’s fees.”

Creative Changes

An India Today report further stated that Deepika’s role as Sumathi aka SUM-80 was reduced to a cameo in the sequel, despite initial plans for the story to revolve around her character. The change reportedly shocked her team, who had been preparing for a bigger role in Kalki 2. Following this, the actress decided to part ways.

Background and Similar Exit

This development has drawn parallels with Deepika’s earlier exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, also starring Prabhas. She had reportedly demanded a ₹20 crore fee, an 8-hour shift post motherhood, a profit-sharing deal, and had refused to deliver dialogues in Telugu. When the talks failed, she walked out, and Animal actress Triptii Dimri replaced her.

At the time, Vanga did not name her but seemingly criticized her on social media, accusing an unnamed actor of violating a non-disclosure agreement and playing “dirty PR games.”

Personal Note

Deepika, who recently celebrated the first birthday of her daughter Dua with husband Ranveer Singh, had earlier admitted that motherhood had changed her priorities. Recalling a director’s remark, she said:
“He turned around and said, ‘Oh, looks like she’s taking motherhood very seriously’. I don’t know if that was a compliment or a jab. What does that mean, taking motherhood seriously? Yeah!”

What’s Next

With her exit from Kalki 2898 AD sequel, speculation is now high on who will replace her in Nag Ashwin’s ambitious project. Deepika was last seen in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again (2024).

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