Alia Bhatt Likely to Replace Her in ‘Kalki 2’

Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has once again found herself at the center of industry discussions following her recent remarks on maintaining a balanced 8-hour workday. The actress revealed that her request for reasonable working hours was blown out of proportion by filmmakers—while, she noted, similar conditions made by male superstars are often readily accepted.

The controversy has coincided with reports confirming that Deepika is no longer part of “Kalki 2”, the highly anticipated sequel to the blockbuster “Kalki 2898 AD.” Directed by Nag Ashwin and produced by Vyjayanthi Movies, the film’s team reportedly cited “unprofessional demands” as the reason for parting ways with the actress.

In Kalki 2898 AD, Deepika played Sumati, a pregnant woman whose character was pivotal to the film’s narrative. Her exit from the sequel has left fans surprised, given how strongly her role resonated with audiences.

Meanwhile, buzz in Bollywood circles suggests that Alia Bhatt is now the front-runner to replace Deepika in Kalki 2. Alia had earlier been in talks with Nag Ashwin for another project, but it appears the director has decided to bring her aboard for the sequel. An official announcement is yet to be made.

Set in a futuristic world rooted in mythology, Kalki 2898 AD begins with the Kurukshetra war, where Lord Krishna entrusts Ashwatthama with protecting Vishnu’s final avatar, Kalki. Starring Prabhas in the lead, the sequel is expected to begin production in 2026 and promises to expand the cinematic universe introduced in the first film.