25% Fee Hike, Shorter Work Hours: What Led to Deepika Padukone’s Exit From Kalki 2?

The buzz around Kalki 2898 AD has been massive, especially after the blockbuster success of the first part. However, the sequel has already hit headlines for a very different reason - Deepika Padukone is no longer associated with the project. While the official statement from the makers suggested “commitment” as the primary reason, industry reports have hinted at behind-the-scenes disagreements that ultimately led to her exit.

The Clash Over Fees and Working Hours

According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, Deepika requested a 25% increase in her acting fees and also insisted on restricting her daily shooting hours to seven. For a film like Kalki 2, which is expected to be even heavier on VFX than its predecessor, the production team reportedly felt that such conditions would not only affect the workflow but also inflate the budget significantly.

“Deepika Padukone demanded a 25 per cent increment on the acting fees she was paid for the first part of the film. That’s not all, she put her foot down on shooting for just 7 hours a day. Given that Kalki 2898 AD is a VFX heavy film , such short shoots was likely to shoot up the budget by a reasonable amount. The producers were willing to provide a luxury vanity to Deepika for rest, in return of longer shoot hours, but she refused. They also tried to negotiate finances, given that even Prabhas had not asked for an increment in fees. She and her team refused to adjust on either," a source close to the production claimed.

Entourage Concerns and Additional Demands

Apart from fees and work-hour discussions, reports suggest that Deepika’s large entourage also became a point of contention. The actress allegedly travels with a team of around 25 members, and her team was said to have demanded five-star stays and food reimbursements for the entire duration of the shoot.

“Deepika’s team is a big one with almost 25 people travelling with her on the sets. They demanded a five-star accommodation and reimbursement for food through the shoot for her entourage. Why should the producers pay for the stay and food of an actor, over and above the fees? This is an issue that a lot of Hindi producers also face," the insider added.

The Official Announcement

On Thursday, the makers made it official through a statement on their social media account. While they did not reveal specific reasons, the post hinted that the decision was mutual and based on professional differences.



“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 works," it read.

A Pattern of Exits?

Interestingly, this is not the first time Deepika has stepped away from a Prabhas project. She was earlier confirmed for Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga , but was later dropped from the film as well. Reports suggested that her conditions - from eight-hour shifts to profit-sharing - were not aligned with the director’s vision.

As a new mother, Deepika is reportedly focusing on finding a work-life balance, which could explain her firm stance on shorter shifts and selective projects.

What’s Next?

Following her exit, Spirit roped in Triptii Dimri for a key role. With Kalki 2, the casting shuffle has once again raised curiosity about who will step in to replace Deepika. For now, the sequel remains one of the most anticipated films, with Prabhas leading the cast.

Whether these professional decisions impact Deepika’s future collaborations with South filmmakers remains to be seen, but her choices clearly indicate a new phase in her career where work commitments will be carefully balanced with personal priorities.