September 18, 2025: Lack of commitment from Actor Deepika Padukone has cost the actor the role in the sequel of the highly anticipated film Kalki 2898 AD. Vyjayanthi Movies, the production house behind the project, issued a statement confirming the decision, citing an inability to finalize a partnership with the actress.
Deepika Padukone, who previously portrayed the character SUM-80 (Sumathi) in the first installment, will not be reprising her role in the sequel. In an official statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Vyjayanthi Movies revealed that despite a lengthy collaboration during the production of the first film, they were unable to reach an agreement with the actress for the second part.
No Commitment, No Role: Deepika Padukone Dropped from Kalki Sequel
“After careful consideration, we have decided to part ways with @deepikapadukone for the upcoming sequel of #Kalki2898AD. Although we worked together on the first film for a long period, we were unable to find a partnership that could move forward,” the production house stated.
The statement continued, “A film like @Kalki2898AD deserves full commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future works.”
The sequel of Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, is expected to go on floors towards the end of this year. The film is a mythological science-fiction epic set in a dystopian 2898 AD, inspired by the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The original film featured an ensemble cast, including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani.
In the first film, Deepika Padukone played the role of SUM-80, the prophesied mother of Kalki, as well as a subject in Project K. Reports indicate that she was pregnant while filming the original, adding an emotional layer to her character.
Interestingly, this exit from the Kalki franchise follows a similar incident earlier this year, when Deepika Padukone also chose to walk out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit. Reports suggest that Padukone and the director had differences over work hours, remuneration, and profit-sharing agreements, with the actress reportedly requesting an eight-hour work schedule.
Despite these setbacks, fans of the actress and the Kalki franchise will be eagerly watching for further developments regarding the sequel, with a possible new cast member set to fill the void left by Deepika’s exit.
