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.
The Demand For A Fee Hike
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.
Strict Working Hours And A Large Team
Beyond the fee, there were also disagreements over working conditions. The actress allegedly insisted on shooting for only 7 hours a day. For a VFX-heavy film like Kalki 2898 AD, such short shifts would likely increase the production time and budget significantly. The source added that the producers were willing to provide a luxury vanity van for her to rest in, but the request for longer hours was refused.
Furthermore, the demands reportedly included five-star accommodation and food expenses for her entire team of nearly 25 people, to be paid by the production house. “Why should the producers pay for the stay and food of an actor, over and above the fees?” the source questioned, highlighting a common issue faced by producers.
Collaboration Is Key
The makers felt that for a massive, big-budget film to work, collaboration and flexibility are essential from everyone involved. With Deepika’s team remaining firm on all their demands, the producers were left with no other option but to part ways. The source also confirmed that similar issues had led to her exit from another film, Spirit.
With Deepika Padukone officially out of the project, the search for a new female lead is on. Fans are now eagerly waiting to see who will be cast opposite Prabhas in this epic sci-fi saga.
About Kalki 2898 AD
Kalki 2898 AD is a monumental Indian epic science-fiction film directed by Nag Ashwin and produced by Vyjayanthi Movies. The first film boasts a massive star cast including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Deepika Padukone. It is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made, known for its futuristic world-building and mythological themes.
Stay tuned with us for latest news, Hindi box office news, Hollywood news, OTT news, latest Bollywood news, and latest box office news.
