18th September 2025 Deepika Padukone's exit from Kalki 2898 AD sequel Written update: Second Major Exit: Is Deepika Padukone's demand for work-life balance hurting her film commitments

Second Major Exit: Is Deepika Padukone's demand for work-life balance hurting her film commitments!

Kalki 2898 AD which released last year was a massive budget film that performed exceedingly at the box-office. Audience were spelled bound over the concept of the film. Fans and critics lauded the film with some criticism. 

Now, a big decision has been made by the Vyjayanthi Movies, the production house who is producing the film. The makers decided to drop the actress from the sequel of the film which was supposed to go on floors lately this year. 

On X platform the production house through their handle issued a statement saying "This is to officially announce that @deepikapadukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel of Kalki 2898AD. 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 Kalki 2898 AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future works."

Actress Deepika Padukone played the role of SUM-80 aka Sumathi. In the film she was prophesied mother of Kalki and a lab subject of project K. For the unversed, Deepika during the shooting of the film was pregnant. Her performance was well received by her fans and well wishers. 

Directed by Nag Ashwin the film Kalki 2898 AD is a mythological sci-fi film also written by the filmmaker. The film is set in 2898 AD era and is inspired by the greatest epic of the world 'Mahabharat' written by VedVyas.

This is the second time Deepika has lost a project. Earlier she was in the news with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga for not working more than 8 hours for his film. They decided to part ways. After which many actors and filmmakers took their respective stand over actors not being commited fully to a project. And others on their work-life balance perspective. 

For Sandeep's film Deepika had differences with certain scenes, work timings, remuneration and profit-sharing. As a result, Deepika opted out from the film. Where some alleged Deepika for being too demanding with her choices. 

Others came in suport of her as she is now a mother of a child and needs to take care of her apart from her professional career. Fans and social media users supported her priority of having a good personal and professional life balance. 

Apart from Deepika, Kalki starred Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas and Disha Patani in lead roles. Whereas, Amitabh played the Mahabharat warrior who is still considered as immortal- Ashwatthama. Prabhas played the role of Bhairav and Karna.  

Due to complete pre-visualization, extensive VFX and star-studded cast's schedules, the sequel is anticipated to take 2-3 years to complete after filming begins. The sequel is one of the most anticipated films for fans who are awaiting it's release.