As the makers announced their decision to part ways with Deepika Padukone for ‘Kalki 2’, it has created ripples in the industry. According to sources, the actor’s hiked fee, eight-hour workdays, and entourage cost led to the decision
Deepika Padukone. Pics/X, Instagram, Youtube
Deepika Padukone’s character Sum-80 was central to the story of Kalki 2898 AD (2024). Can one imagine the sequel without the actor? The makers can, and are doing so. On Thursday, they announced that Padukone will not return for the sequel of the sci-fi action film that was headlined by Prabhas and her. Vyjayanthi Movies, the studio behind Nag Ashwin’s ambitious directorial venture, kept its statement brief but pointed. An excerpt from it read, “Despite the long journey of making the first film, we were unable to find a partnership. A film like Kalki 2898 AD deserves that commitment and much more”.
Understandably, the development has created ripples across the industry. This comes four months after Padukone was dropped from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, reportedly over the actor’s request for stipulated working hours — an ask that many sections felt was justified for the new mother. On Kalki 2, multiple factors apparently led to the split, one being the request for eight-hour workdays.
(L-R) Deepika Padukone and Prabhas in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
A source tells mid-day, “It wasn’t unreasonable from Deepika’s perspective because she has a young child and wants a work-life balance. But on a film like Kalki, an eight-hour workday translates to about six hours of camera time. Kalki is heavy on action and VFX, and that sort of schedule is hard to accommodate.” An insider close to the production reveals that the decision makers at the banner, planning to roll Kalki 2 by the year-end, knew that any uncertainty around schedules would burden the expensive film. The insider says, “Kalki 2 is a multi-hundred crore film with an ensemble cast, and enormous technical and logistical challenges. Any uncertainty around a lead actor’s time can derail the entire chain.”
Another point of contention was money, according to multiple sources. It is heard that Padukone’s team proposed a fee hike from her compensation for the first film. “The studio felt the combination of higher fee and limited hours made the project unworkable.” Reports suggest that the studio also had reservations regarding the actor’s entourage costs.
Nag Ashwin and Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Negotiations not materialising is common in the movie business. What stood out starkly in this case is Vyjayanthi Movies’ step to publicly announce the parting of ways on social media. Apparently, the decision was rooted in caution. A source shares, “The production house was clear that they didn’t want a repeat of the media showdown that happened during Spirit. Kalki is a prestigious film for them, and they didn’t want multiple narratives to surround it.”
mid-day contacted Padukone’s team, Vyjayanthi Movies, and Ashwin, who didn’t respond till press time.
What happens to Padukone’s character?
During the release of ‘Kalki’, Nag Ashwin told mid-day that they had already shot over 20 days for the second part, including with Padukone. Sources now tell us that the character will be retained, with another actor stepping into the role.
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