The makers of Kalki 2898 AD have officially confirmed that Deepika Padukone will not be part of the upcoming sequel. In a statement, the production house explained that after “careful consideration” both sides decided to part ways. They stressed that a film of this scale requires complete commitment, hinting at scheduling and availability issues.
Official Confirmation From the Makers
Vyjayanthi Movies, the studio behind the sci-fi epic, released a statement saying the sequel “deserves total dedication” and that they were “unable to find a partnership” with Deepika for the second instalment. While the note did not go into specifics, it effectively confirmed her exit from the project.
Possible Reasons Behind the Exit
Although the official statement was brief, multiple reports from the entertainment industry point to a combination of factors:
Scheduling Conflicts: The sequel’s shooting schedule is expected to be longer and more intense due to its high VFX content. Deepika recently welcomed her first child and had publicly stated she was not rushing back to full-time shoots.
Shorter Work Hours: Insiders claim she requested shorter shooting days, which may not align with the production’s demanding timetable.
Fee Hike and Entourage Costs: There were also reports of a 25% fee increase and expanded entourage requirements. For a project already running a massive budget, producers may have been concerned about rising costs.
None of these factors have been officially confirmed by Deepika or the studio, but together they provide a likely picture of why the collaboration ended.
Impact on the Sequel
Deepika played a pivotal role in the first Kalki 2898 AD film, and her character was integral to the story. Her exit means the makers will either have to recast the role or significantly rework the script. This could also influence the sequel’s timeline and marketing strategy.
What This Means for Bollywood’s Big Budget Films
The situation highlights how large-scale, VFX-heavy films need extensive availability from their lead stars. Scheduling conflicts, fee negotiations, and working conditions can all impact whether an actor stays on for multiple parts of a franchise. As Indian cinema increasingly embraces multi-part, high-budget epics, these issues are likely to become more common.
FAQs:
Q1. Is Deepika Padukone confirmed to be out of the Kalki 2898 AD sequel?
Yes. The production house, Vyjayanthi Movies, issued an official statement confirming that Deepika will not be part of the sequel.
Q2. Why did Deepika Padukone leave the Kalki 2898 AD sequel?
The makers cited the need for “total commitment” and scheduling challenges. Unconfirmed reports also mention her recent motherhood, shorter shooting hours, and higher fee demands as possible reasons.
Q3. Who will replace Deepika Padukone in the sequel?
The producers have not yet announced a replacement. They may either recast the role or modify the script to accommodate a new character.
Q4. Will Deepika Padukone appear in a cameo in the sequel?
As of now, there’s no official word about a cameo. The studio’s statement only confirmed she is not part of the main cast.
Q5. When will the Kalki 2898 AD sequel start filming?
Production schedules are still being finalised. Early reports indicate that shooting could begin later in 2025, depending on casting and VFX prep.
Published on : 18th September
Published by : SMITA
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