Last November Alia Bhatt was in talks to headline filmmaker Nag Ashwin’s yet-untitled woman-led film. But 11 months is a long time for things to change. Ashwin, whose Kalki 2 is now undergoing a round of casting following Deepika Padukone’s exit, is reportedly considering focusing on his woman-centric film in the interim.
However, that clashes with Bhatt, who is said to have given bulk dates to Maddock Films’ Chamunda from March 2026. In the latest development, industry chatter suggests that the filmmaker has resumed talks with Sai Pallavi, who has long been his choice to lead the action drama.
A source close to the production revealed, “Nag didn’t let go of the idea of the woman-led film. It was simmering on the backburner through most of 2025. With the developments in Kalki 2, bringing the other project forward is a possibility.”
Pallavi, however, can allot her dates only after the two-part Ramayana is complete. The source adds, “She is expected to wrap up the second instalment of Ramayana by mid-2026. If the dates align, she could step into Nag’s film before he moves to Kalki 2.” Insiders, however, insist that schedules and casting could shift, given the dynamic nature of the projects in question.
Deepika Padukone’s Exit From Kalki 2
The news of Deepika Padukone‘s departure from the sequel of Kalki 2898 AD has been the biggest talk of the town. While the production house, Vyjayanthi Movies, released a statement on September 18 citing a failure to find a “partnership,” new details have now emerged that shed light on the specific issues that led to this major fallout.
According to reliable industry sources, the disagreement stemmed from a series of demands made by the actress regarding her fee and working conditions, which the producers found difficult to meet. A key point of conflict was reportedly the actress’s demand for a significant pay increase. A source close to the production revealed that Deepika Padukone asked for a 25 percent hike on the salary she received for the first film. The producers attempted to negotiate, especially since the main lead, Prabhas, had reportedly not asked for any increment for the sequel. However, Deepika and her team were unwilling to adjust the financial demand.
(Also read: Raanjhanaa Team Reunites: Dhanush And Kriti Sanon’s Tere Ishk Mein Teaser Promises A Fiery, Intense Love Story )
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