Deepika Padukone's departure from the sequel of Kalki 2898 AD has become a hot topic in the film industry, leaving fans and insiders speculating about the real reasons behind her exit. While the official statement from Vyjayanthi Movies, the production house, cited an inability to find the right "partnership" and the "commitment" required for such a large-scale film, sources suggest that the decision was influenced by changes in the script that significantly reduced Padukone's role.
Initially, the sequel was planned to revolve around Deepika's character, Sumathi aka SUM-80, and her journey into motherhood. However, the script was reportedly altered to give more prominence to the male leads, Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, and Amitabh Bachchan. This shift allegedly reduced Padukone's role to a cameo, which came as a shock to her team and ultimately led to her decision to leave the project.
Adding fuel to the fire, unconfirmed reports have also surfaced, alleging that Padukone made demands for a 25% salary hike and limited working hours. Some reports even suggest that she requested 5-star accommodations for her 25-person crew. These alleged demands have drawn comparisons to her previous exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit, where similar issues were rumored to have played a role.
Vyjayanthi Movies' statement on X (formerly Twitter) seemed to subtly question Padukone's commitment to the project. The post alluded to the necessity of "unwavering commitment" for a film like Kalki 2898 AD, further fueling speculation about the reasons for her departure.
The situation has sparked considerable debate within the industry, with some insiders suggesting that the makers are leveraging the Spirit controversy, where Padukone was accused of making unreasonable demands after becoming a mother. In that instance, she allegedly sought limited working hours, which Vanga reportedly rejected. Following her exit from Spirit, Vanga indirectly criticized an unnamed actress for violating a non-disclosure agreement and engaging in "dirty PR games".
Padukone's departure from the Kalki 2898 AD sequel marks her second exit from a Prabhas-led film this year, further intensifying the scrutiny surrounding her professional choices. The circumstances echo earlier controversies, including disagreements over creative control and financial demands. It remains to be seen how this development will impact the film and who will replace Padukone in the role. Fans are left to wonder about the true reasons behind her exit and what the future holds for both the actress and the Kalki 2898 AD franchise.
