Reasons for Deepika Padukone's ouster from Kalki 2898AD sequel: Rs 25Cr salary demand, fallout with Nag Ashwin and Prabhas' dates | Excluisve

Kalki 2898 AD, featuring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, was a smash hit at the box office. All eyes are now on the sequel, which is yet to go on floors. On the other hand, fans of Deepika Padukone were stunned to know that the makers of Kalki, Vyjayanthi Movies, decided to part ways with the star, and the same was conveyed through a post on social media.

So much is being said about why the makers parted ways with the star heroine, and we have all the answers for you here. Firstly, Deepika's team was itching to know when the sequel would go on floors. Since the main lead, Prabhas, has been busy with his new film Fauji and is also committed to Spirit with Sandeep Reddy Vanga, his packed schedule created date issues, causing repeated delays in the shoot.

This upset Deepika, and as the film was demanding a lot of time, she asked for a hike in her remuneration. One of the sources close to the team has revealed to us that she hiked her fee to Rs 25 crore all of a sudden, and this did not sit well with the makers, who had signed her for a particular amount for both parts.

Upon this, the manner in which all this was handled by Deepika's team upset the director, Nag Ashwin, a bit. The makers were holding talks with Deepika for a long time now, and due to the changes in the schedules and the demands that Deepika's team put up, a lot of disturbance was created, and this upset the producer C. Aswini Dutt, and he decided to let go of Deepika from this project.

If you closely observe the tweet that the production house put up, it clearly talks about 'commitment', hinting directly at Deepika Padukone and the way she was handling the situation regarding the delay in the shoot.

This is not the first time that this has happened. Even in the past, Deepika was locked to play the female lead in Sandeep Vanga's Spirit, but due to demands in working hours, Sandeep Reddy Vanga decided to part ways and roped in Tripti Dimri for the Prabhas starrer.

Kalki 2898 AD had Deepika Padukone in a central character, and imagining the film without her would be difficult, and one needs to see who the team would rope in after her exit. Stay tuned for more updates.

ALSO READ: Kalki 2898 AD Review - A visual spectacle that commands a big screen watch

FAQs

Q. When will Kalki 2 hit the screens?

A. The shooting of the sequel is yet to go on floors, and the film is expected to release in 2027. 

Q. Is Deepika Padukone removed from Kalki?

A. Deepika Padukone was part of the 2024 film Kalki 2898 AD, but is no longer part of its sequel, as announced by the makers.

Q. Who is Deepika's baby in Kalki?

A. Deepika plays Sumathi in Kalki, who gives birth to the chosen one and saviour of the world.

Q. When will Kalki 2898 AD go on floors?

A. The sequel is expected to go on floors in the third week of December 2025