Explained - Deepika Padukone exits Kalki 2898 AD sequel: Were fee hike demands, limited work hours and entourage costs the deal breakers?

Deepika Padukone work demands

Vyjayanthi Movies confirmed on Thursday (September 18) that Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone won’t be returning for director Nag Ashwin’s sequel of Kalki 2898 AD.

Their note on social media read: "After the long journey of the first film, both sides simply couldn’t carry the partnership into the next chapter".

But within hours, trade reports began sketching out what might have gone wrong. Inside sources claimed it was a mix of money, hours and logistics that became sticking points on a massive, VFX-heavy set.

As per Bollywood Hungama, a source close to the production revealed, “Deepika demanded a 25 percent increment on the acting fees she was paid for the first part. She also put her foot down on shooting for just 7 hours a day. The producers were willing to provide a luxury vanity for her rest in exchange for longer shoot hours, but she refused. Even Prabhas had not asked for an increment.”

The same source added a note about costs beyond the fee itself: “Why should producers bear the stay and food costs of such a large entourage, over and above the actor’s fee?”

This isn’t the first time working terms have reportedly come between Deepika and a big-ticket project. She was initially attached to Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit opposite Prabhas, but is said to have exited after disagreements over professional conditions, including an eight-hour workday.

In the aftermath, Vanga posted a pointed message accusing an unnamed actor of breaching trust and engaging in “dirty PR games.” He didn’t name anyone, but the timing had everyone joining the dots.

Inevitably, the conversation has broadened into something larger than one film. On one side, there’s the reality of tentpole cinema: extended shoot days, complex scheduling, heavy VFX integration and spiralling costs if things slip.

On the other, there’s the argument — voiced by many industry peers and observers — that A-list actors, and women in particular, are well within their rights to set boundaries around time, health and compensation. In short: these are negotiations, not morality plays.

Old headlines have resurfaced too. Back in 2012, as News18 noted, Deepika exited Abbas–Mustan’s Race 2 after a few days on set, prompting a public rebuke from producer Ramesh Taurani. His words still sting more than a decade later:

“The saddest part is that Deepika was supposed to meet me on January 27. At the last minute, she texted to say that she would not be coming but her manager would explain her concerns and ‘find a way for us to work together’. Deepika was in Mumbai from January 27 to January 31 but refused to answer my calls, reply to messages or meet me. In my 25 years in this industry, I have never been so disrespected by any actor and we have worked with the biggest and the best," Taurani had said.

He continued, “We tried everything to convince her not to do this. I really tried to find a way to work things out with Deepika. Unfortunately, she was not willing to budge and did not even show an ounce of remorse for the massive inconvenience caused to us, our actors and our senior directors. After this, I had no choice but to file a complaint against her in the AMPTPP and CINTAA. I am deeply saddened by this unprofessional behaviour," he had said.

So, where does that leave Kalki 2? Moving forward without its original leading lady — and with an industry-wide debate ringing louder than ever about how stars, studios and schedules meet in the middle.