Deepika Padukone Not Returning for ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ Sequel, Confirm Producers

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone will not be part of the sequel to the Telugu sci-fi blockbuster “Kalki 2898 AD,” the film’s producers confirmed on Thursday.

Production house Vyjayanthi Movies, which backed director Nag Ashwin’s futuristic epic starring Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan, made the announcement in a statement shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

The makers said that while they valued Deepika’s association with the first installment, the sequel demanded “commitment and much more,” and both parties were unable to align for the project.

The clarification comes amid weeks of speculation about Padukone’s return in the second part of the high-budget franchise, which set new benchmarks for Indian science-fiction cinema upon its release.

Though details of the sequel remain under wraps, the announcement confirms that the makers will take the story forward without Padukone’s character, which played a crucial role in the first film.

The producers assured fans that the upcoming installment will continue to push boundaries in storytelling and visual spectacle, while further expanding the universe introduced in “Kalki 2898 AD.”