Deepika Padukone Exits Kalki 2898 AD Sequel; Makers Cite “Partnership” and “Commitment” Concerns
Vyjayanthi Movies confirms Deepika will not return for the sequel after both parties fail to reach agreement; speculation grows over demands and scheduling issues following her earlier exit from Spirit.
The makers of Kalki 2898 AD have officially confirmed that Deepika Padukone will not be returning for the sequel of the sci-fi epic. In an announcement made on September 18, production house Vyjayanthi Movies stated that despite the long journey of making the first film, they were unable to find a partnership for the next chapter. The statement emphasized that a film like Kalki demands complete commitment, and both sides had mutually decided to part ways, while extending best wishes to Deepika for her future projects.
The decision has come as a surprise to fans, given Deepika’s pivotal role in the first instalment alongside Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan. Her character was central to the narrative, and her absence raises questions about how the sequel’s storyline will be shaped. While the production house has not specified the reasons behind her departure, reports suggest that Deepika had asked for a higher fee, shorter working hours due to her commitments as a new mother, and additional perks including five-star accommodation for her team. These demands are believed to have created challenges during negotiations.
This is to officially announce that @deepikapadukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel of #Kalki2898AD.
— Vyjayanthi Movies (@VyjayanthiFilms) September 18, 2025
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…
This development follows another major setback earlier this year when Deepika was replaced by Triptii Dimri in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit after similar issues reportedly arose. At that time, Vanga had indirectly criticized her approach in a social media post, calling out unprofessionalism without naming her directly. With Deepika now out of two major Prabhas projects in 2025, the focus shifts to who will step into her role in Kalki 2898 AD 2 or whether the storyline will be reworked altogether.
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