Deepika Padukone will not be replaced in the upcoming sequel Kalki, according to director Nag Ashwin.
Nag Ashwin Shuts Down Replacement Rumors for Kalki 2
Director Nag Ashwin has put an end to industry speculation surrounding Deepika Padukone’s character in the upcoming sequel Kalki 2898 AD – Part 2. When asked if a new actor would step into the role, Ashwin told Variety India that no new actors are joining the production.
New one is not joining. We are carrying forward the story that we started. And there are already many characters in it.
Padukone played one of the central figures in the first installment, driving a major portion of the plot. However, prior to the start of shooting on the sequel, production company Vyjayanthi Movies announced via a statement on X that they had parted ways with the actor, stating that they could not reach a partnership after a long journey making the first film.
Behind the Scenes of the Vyjayanthi Movies Sequel and Production Timeline
While Padukone did not publicly state the reason for her departure from the project, various Indian media outlets reported conflicting claims. According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Padukone had asked for a 25 percent pay increase. Meanwhile, India Today reported that her character’s screen time in the second chapter was significantly reduced. Earlier, Padukone also stepped away from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, a move attributed in media reports to scheduling conflicts.
Despite the casting changes, production is pressing forward. Ashwin noted that some sequences featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan have already been filmed, with the two shooting together in February. Although delays stemmed from Prabhas’s commitments to other projects, those scheduling hurdles are now resolved.
Regular shooting for Kalki 2898 AD – Part 2 is scheduled to kick off in mid-October, with wrapping and post-production slated for the middle of next year ahead of a planned release window in 2028.
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