In a move that has left fans stunned, Deepika Padukone will not be part of the highly awaited sequel to Prabhas’s sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD. The news was confirmed by the film’s makers, Vyjayanthi Movies, in an official statement released on Thursday.
The announcement read: “After careful consideration, we were unable to find a partnership. A film like Kalki 2898 AD deserves that commitment and much more.”
While the production house chose not to elaborate, industry buzz suggests that scheduling conflicts and date issues forced Deepika to step away. The sequel is expected to be an ambitious, time-consuming project — and the actress is already committed to multiple big-ticket films, including one with blockbuster director Atlee.
Deepika’s absence raises big questions for the makers. In the first film, she played a central role alongside Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan. Will the role now be reworked? Or will the team cast another A-list star to carry forward the story? Fans are waiting eagerly for clarity.
Directed by Nag Ashwin, Kalki 2898 AD became one of India’s most talked-about cinematic experiments, blending mythology with futuristic sci-fi. With expectations sky-high for the sequel, Deepika’s sudden exit adds drama and mystery to the film’s journey.
For now, all eyes are on the makers to see how they will reimagine this ambitious universe — and who will step into the void left by one of Bollywood’s biggest stars.