MUMBAI – In a move that has left fans shocked and sent social media into a frenzy, it was officially announced on Thursday that Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone is no longer associated with the much-anticipated sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, tentatively titled Kalki 2. The news has ignited a firestorm of speculation, with conflicting reports emerging on the true reason for her sudden departure from the project.
The makers of the film, Vyjayanthi Movies, released a statement that left the door open for speculation, announcing that they had “decided to part ways” with the actress. The statement hinted at a lack of “commitment” from the actress, stating that “a film like Kalki deserves that commitment and much more.” This official, yet cryptic, reason prompted immediate public debate.
However, two major reports have surfaced, offering different versions of what transpired behind the scenes.
According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the split was initiated by the makers due to a series of demands made by Deepika and her team. The report claims that the actress asked for a 25 percent hike in her fees, along with a strict seven-hour work shift. Additionally, her team, which reportedly consists of 25 people, demanded five-star accommodation and full reimbursement for food throughout the shoot. The report suggests that the producers attempted to negotiate these terms, but Deepika remained inflexible, leading to the decision to drop her from the film.
On the other hand, a contradictory report by India Today claims that it was Deepika herself who decided to walk away from the sequel. This report alleges that the makers informed the actress about a significant change in the script just a few days before the shoot was scheduled to begin. The original plan was for the sequel to revolve around her character, but the new script allegedly reduced her role to little more than a cameo. Feeling that her character’s importance was sidelined, she and her team reportedly made the decision to exit the project.
The controversy marks the second time this year that Deepika has exited a major film starring Prabhas. Earlier in the year, she was reportedly removed from director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Spirit, also starring Prabhas, for similar reasons. Reports from that incident also cited her demands for an eight-hour workday, a high salary, and a share in the film’s profits as the points of contention that led to her departure.
With both the makers and the actress’s camp yet to provide a more detailed and unified explanation, the exact reason for Deepika Padukone’s exit from Kalki 2 remains a subject of intense public discussion and speculation.