Vyjayanthi Movies Announces Deepika Padukone’s Exit from Kalki 2898 AD Sequel

In a surprising turn, Vyjayanthi Movies has officially announced that Deepika Padukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel to Kalki 2898 AD. In a statement posted on their official handle, the production house said, “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 works.” While the message is formal and respectful, it strongly hints at creative or contractual differences that couldn’t be resolved.

This marks the second time in recent months that Deepika Padukone has exited a major film project. Earlier, she was dropped from Spirit, the upcoming action film by director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, also starring Prabhas. According to various media reports, Deepika’s exit from Spirit was reportedly due to disagreements over remuneration, working hours, and language requirements. Some sources claimed she requested a strict 8-hour shooting schedule—possibly to accommodate her responsibilities as a new mother—and was reluctant to speak Telugu dialogues, preferring dubbing instead. Eventually, Triptii Dimri was brought in to replace her.

While Vyjayanthi Movies did not provide specific reasons behind Deepika’s departure from the Kalki 2898 AD sequel, speculation has been swirling. Industry insiders believe her packed schedule, including the films Spirit and King, combined with her recent motherhood, may have limited her ability to commit fully to long-term franchise demands. Interestingly, back in January 2025, director Nag Ashwin had included a behind-the-scenes tribute for Deepika’s birthday with a message that read, “See you on the sets very soon,” which had fueled rumors of her return for the sequel. That hope now appears to have been officially extinguished.

The production house’s choice of words—"unable to find a partnership"—suggests the issue may not have been merely logistical, but philosophical. Perhaps Deepika was not aligned with the vision or pace that a massive, multi-film sci-fi franchise like Kalki demands. And given her stature and increasing selectiveness with roles, it's not far-fetched to assume she’s prioritizing creative satisfaction and work-life balance over box office spectacle. However, with two high-profile exits back-to-back, questions are naturally being raised about whether it’s just coincidence or a pattern.

Regardless of the reasons, the absence of Deepika Padukone will undoubtedly shift the dynamics of the Kalki sequel. It remains to be seen how her character will be handled—will she be recast, written out, or replaced with a new female lead altogether? Fans may be disappointed, but the franchise is moving forward. And for Deepika, this may just be a conscious recalibration of her career path at a time when she’s balancing blockbuster expectations with personal milestones.