Deepika Padukone Shot 20 Days For Kalki 2898 AD Sequel Before Exit, Debunking Date Clash Claims | Report

Deepika Padukone is no longer a part of Kalki 2898 AD Part 2, as announced by the makers of the upcoming movie. A new update surrounding the ongoing controversy is now dominating the headlines. According to a report by CNN- News18 Showsha, Deepika had already shot for 20 days for the sequel. Deepika Padukone reportedly demanded a 25 per cent fee hike for the Kalki 2898 AD sequel, citing her character's popularity after the first film's release. However, the producers refused, citing her strict demands, including a 7-hour workday and luxury perks for her 25-member entourage, which would have increased production costs.

An insider told the publication, "Deepika Padukone’s demand for a pay hike — significantly higher than 25% — stemmed from her conviction that she is irreplaceable. The real turning point lay in how her management approached the negotiations. Deepika was fully aware of the sequel and the strong, performance-driven role created for her."

"In fact, she had already filmed nearly 20 days of Part 2 while shooting Part 1 — something director Nag Ashwin himself confirmed in several media interactions. Her schedule for the next phase was always meant to be decided mutually, so the claim of a date clash holds no merit," the insider further added.

ALSO READ: King: Deepika Padukone Reflects On First Lesson Shah Rukh Khan Taught Her, Shares Cryptic Message After Kalki Exit

Confirming Deepika Padukone's exit from Kalki 2898 AD sequel, Vyjayanthi Movies wrote on X, "This is to officially announce that @deepikapadukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel of #Kalki2898AD. 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 projects."

Days after her exit from Kalki 2898 AD Part 2, Deepika Padukone announced her next project King, featuring Shah Rukh Khan. In a cryptic note on Instagram, Deepika wrote, "The very first lesson he taught me almost 18 years ago while filming Om Shanti Om was that the experience of making a movie, and the people you make it with, matter far more than its success."

ALSO READ: Deepika Padukone Double Hour Shift Row: Tabu Likes Post Discussing 'Why She Got Kicked From Kalki 2', Bhumi Pednekar Also Reacts