Deepika Padukone Exits Kalki 2898 AD 2: What’s Next for the Film?
Deepika Padukone's Departure from Kalki 2898 AD 2
The announcement of Deepika Padukone's departure from Kalki 2898 AD 2 has taken many by surprise. Nearly a year ago, the production team confirmed that she would not reprise her role in the sequel. In the first installment directed by Nag Ashwin, she portrayed the character Sumathi. Following her exit, speculation arose on social media about potential replacements, including Sai Pallavi and Alia Bhatt, for this mythological sci-fi project.
Clarification from Nag Ashwin Regarding Sumathi's Role
In a recent interview with Great Andhra, Nag Ashwin addressed the rumors surrounding Sai Pallavi stepping into the role of Sumathi. Notably, Alia Bhatt's name was not mentioned during this discussion. The filmmaker emphasized, "We will announce who will portray the character of Sumathi in Kalki 2. Currently, all of this is mere speculation. The character is crucial and will definitely be included in the story."
In September 2025, the official announcement regarding Deepika's exit was made. The production team shared on X (formerly Twitter) that the decision was reached after thorough consideration. They noted that they could not establish a collaborative partnership with Deepika during the first film's production. "A film like @Kalki2898AD deserves a strong commitment, and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors," the team stated.
Current Projects for Deepika Padukone and Sai Pallavi
On her upcoming projects, Deepika is set to star in Siddharth Anand's film King alongside Shah Rukh Khan, which is scheduled for release on December 24 this year. She will also feature in Atlee's Raaka with Allu Arjun. Recently, she appeared in Singham Again as Shakti Shetty. Meanwhile, Sai Pallavi recently starred in Ek Din with Junaid Khan, although her Bollywood debut did not perform well at the box office. Her next project is Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1, where she will portray Goddess Sita, set to release during Diwali.