Alia Bhatt to join ‘Kalki’ universe: Is she replacing Deepika Padukone? But not the first time

Highlights

• No official confirmation that Alia Bhatt is replacing Deepika Padukone
• Deepika Padukone officially exited the Kalki 2898 AD sequel earlier
• Reports suggest Alia may have joined filming in Hyderabad
• Some claims say she is playing a new character, not SUM-80
• Makers have called reports unverified speculation

Social media is once again asking: is this the first time Alia Bhatt is rumoured to replace Deepika Padukone in a film? The latest wave of speculation is tied to the upcoming sequel of Kalki 2898 AD, where rumours suggest Alia may have stepped in after Deepika’s exit.

The buzz intensified after reports claimed that Alia Bhatt had joined the shoot in Hyderabad alongside Prabhas. This immediately sparked assumptions that she might be replacing Deepika Padukone in the franchise.

However, there is no official confirmation from either the makers or the actor regarding any casting decision. Industry sources have repeatedly clarified that nothing has been formally announced and that current reports are unverified.

The speculation began after Deepika Padukone’s confirmed exit from the sequel. Deepika, who played SUM-80 (Sumathi) in the first film, was officially no longer part of the project after the production house announced a mutual decision to part ways.

Since then, online chatter has escalated, with several entertainment pages claiming Alia had already filmed portions of the sequel in Hyderabad. These posts quickly went viral, leading many to believe she had directly replaced Deepika.

However, alternative reports suggest a different direction. Instead of stepping into Deepika’s role, Alia is reportedly being considered for a completely new character within the expanding Kalki universe. This would mean she is joining the franchise rather than replacing an existing role.

For now, the question remains open: is this the first time Alia Bhatt is rumoured to replace Deepika Padukone, or just the latest round of casting speculation in a franchise already full of uncertainty?

While the two actors’ names have often appeared in overlapping casting conversations, none of these instances amount to an official replacement. In most reported cases, the confusion comes from early-stage casting discussions or projects that never moved forward.

For example, Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022) was once linked to speculation about Deepika, but reports clarified that only Priyanka Chopra was initially considered before Alia Bhatt took the role, making it not a direct swap.

Similarly, Takht was an ensemble film that was later shelved, with both actors reportedly attached in different roles at various stages, meaning no replacement ever occurred.

In Baiju Bawra, both names surfaced during different development phases of the Sanjay Leela Bhansali project, but it also underwent multiple rewrites and casting changes without any confirmed substitution between them.

The makers have remained silent on the casting rumours. A spokesperson reportedly dismissed claims of Alia’s involvement in shooting schedules, stating there is no clarity yet and urging fans not to treat social media speculation as confirmed news.

As of now, Kalki 2898 AD continues production with Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan expected to return. Alia Bhatt’s role, whether as a replacement or a fresh addition, remains unverified.