Deepika Padukone ousted from 'Kalki 2': Exploring the reasons behind Vyjayanthi Movies' tough decision

On Thursday morning, a post from the makers of 'Kalki 2898 AD' have sent shockwaves in the industry. In the post, producer Vyjayanthi Movies announced that Deepika Padukone won’t be seen in the sequel, and they have given her an exit due to the reasons best known to them. Since the post went public, both the industry and netizens have been eager to understand what went wrong, leading the producers to make such a tough decision.

Poster of Kalki 2898 AD.

Credit: Vyjayanthi Movies

While the exact reason is still a mystery, here we take a look at the five reasons that are doing the rounds in and around the industry that could have led to Deepika Padukone’s exit.

Date Clash

The much-anticipated sequel is set to start shooting, with Kamal Haasan on set in November and Prabhas joining in January. Some sources suggest that Deepika is unavailable at these dates, as she’s already committed to Atlee’s AAXA6 alongside Allu Arjun. The reported casting change occurred after Deepika left Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit with Prabhas.

Fee Hike

For her portrayal of Sumi-80 (Sumathi), Deepika Padukone was paid an impressive Rs 20 crore, and she allegedly sought a hefty raise for the sequel. Even though her role in the follow-up would be limited, her demand appeared excessive, and producer felt the salary increase was unwarranted. Deepika is said to have demanded a 25% to 40% increase over her previous remuneration.

Excessive Demand

Deepika Padukone reportedly made some extravagant demands, prompting the makers to explore other options. One such demand was a private jet for her travel, which sources say shocked the team. Also with a revised working routine of just seven hours of work daily and guaranteed weekends off. Deepika’s schedule is reportedly incompatible with the demanding shoot of a VFX-heavy movie. Insiders reveal that DP's firm stance on this limited working routine could be another significant factor behind her exit from the project.

Deepika Padukone’s sizeable entourage

While the makers were open to negotiating her remuneration, what truly became a sticking point was her demand to accommodate an unusually large entourage. Reports indicate that Deepika travels with a team of nearly two dozen people, including her manager, security personnel, stylist, makeup artist, hairstylist, and several assistants. She allegedly insisted on five-star accommodations and full hospitality for each team member. The producers found this demand excessive and ultimately decided to part ways with the actress.

Equation with Prabhas

Prabhas is also linked to Deepika Padukone’s departure. It is said that he was upset by her demanding requests, leading to her exit from Spirit and potentially this project too. Additionally, there were claims that tensions between Prabhas and Deepika escalated during the filming of Kalki 2898 AD.