Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Sep 18: Actress Deepika Padukone will not be part of the sequel to the epic mythological sci-fi film “Kalki 2898 AD”, the makers officially confirmed on Thursday. The announcement was made by Vyjayanthi Movies via a statement on X (formerly Twitter), citing the scale and ambition of the project as reasons behind the decision.
In their post, the production house wrote:
“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 @Kalki2898AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future works.”
While the statement was brief, it made clear that the sequel demands a level of dedication and alignment that, according to the studio, could not be established with Padukone. No replacement or casting updates have been announced yet for her character.
Released in 2024, Nag Ashwin’s directorial “Kalki 2898 AD” marked the beginning of an ambitious Kalki Cinematic Universe inspired by Hindu mythology. Featuring a star-studded cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani, the film reimagines mythological narratives in a dystopian, post-apocalyptic future.
The story is set in the year 2898 AD, where a resistance group seeks to protect a woman named SUM-80, pregnant with the child believed to be the final avatar of Lord Vishnu — Kalki — from the tyrannical ruler Yaskin, a god-like antagonist. The film was lauded for its visual ambition and its blending of mythology with futuristic world-building.
Padukone’s role in the film was pivotal, and her absence in the sequel is expected to mark a significant narrative shift or recasting. The reason behind the departure was left open-ended, but the emphasis on “commitment” suggests scheduling conflicts or creative differences may have played a role.
Most recently, Padukone appeared in “Singham Again” (2024), directed by Rohit Shetty, as part of his expanding Cop Universe. The action-packed film starred Ajay Devgn in the lead role, alongside an ensemble including Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Arjun Kapoor, and Jackie Shroff. The film featured Padukone in a strong female action role, drawing narrative inspiration from the Ramayana, with Bajirao Singham leading a mission to rescue his wife from a powerful antagonist.
As work on the Kalki sequel progresses, fans of the franchise now await news on how the filmmakers will address Padukone’s exit and what direction the universe will take without her character.