Highlights:
- Vyjayanthi Movies officially announced Deepika Padukone’s exit from Kalki 2898 AD sequel.
- Makers said they were “unable to find a partnership” that matched the film’s vision.
- Deepika recently prioritized motherhood, saying she wanted to raise her daughter personally.
- Earlier controversies surrounded her exit from Spirit and alleged creative differences.
- Triptii Dimri is reportedly stepping into lead roles opposite Prabhas in upcoming projects.
Deepika Padukone has officially been confirmed to have exited the sequel to the film Kalki 2898 AD. The production house Vyjayanthi Movies announced that after careful consideration, they decided to part ways with the actress because they were "unable to find a partnership" and emphasized that a project like Kalki 2898 AD requires "that commitment and much more." They wished her well for her future projects.
The announcement was made by Vyjayanthi Movies via their official X (formerly Twitter) handle on September 18, 2025. The statement highlighted that despite the long journey of making the first film, the makers and Deepika Padukone could not establish the required partnership needed for the sequel. The film's makers underlined the high level of dedication and commitment expected from actors involved in the sequel, indirectly pointing this as the reason behind parting ways.
Deepika Padukone had portrayed the character SUM-80 (Sumathi), the prophesied mother of Kalki and a lab subject of "Project K," in the first film. She was pregnant during the shooting of the original Kalki 2898 AD. The film is a mythological sci-fi set in the year 2898 AD, inspired by Hindu epics, and directed by Nag Ashwin. It features a star-studded ensemble including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Disha Patani, and Deepika herself.
There had been earlier reports and speculations over Deepika's exit from the sequel, with rumors of friction on the sets between her and her co-star Prabhas, though those were outrightly denied by sources close to the project. In addition, her recent withdrawal from another high-profile project, Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit, had created buzz about her professional conduct and demands. Reports suggested that she wanted an eight-hour work shift, high remuneration, and creative differences contributed to her departure from Spirit.
Back in December 2024, Deepika had publicly mentioned during a media interaction that her current priority was her newborn daughter Dua and that she was not in a hurry to resume work soon. She expressed her intentions to personally raise her daughter, which fueled further speculation that her commitments might delay or complicate her involvement in demanding projects like Kalki 2898 AD sequel.
Following the official announcement of her exit from Kalki 2898 AD's sequel, some fans of Deepika Padukone criticized the phrasing used by the makers, interpreting the statement about "commitment" as a slight on her professionalism. However, the production house maintained that the film deserved utmost dedication and partnership from its cast.
