Deepika Padukone to exit Prabhas starrer ‘Kalki 2’ after ‘Spirit’? Here’s what we know

Deepika Padukone’s recent career news has stirred up a lot of buzz. Just days after reports of her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Spirit,’ it now seems she could be stepping away from the big-budget film ‘Kalki 2’ as well.

The reason? Deepika’s demand for shorter work hours post-motherhood is reportedly causing “friction on sets,” says the Instagram page Bollywood.mobi. Due to this, the makers of ‘Kalki 2’ are said to be considering reducing or even removing her role. However, there is no official confirmation about this from the film’s team as of now.

This is not for the first time such decisions are taken by the makers, according to News18, a previous suggested that Deepika Padukone was also removed from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film ‘Spirit’. Reports say her demands — including an eight-hour workday, a high salary, and a share in the film’s profits — didn’t go down well with the director. As a new mother, Deepika is said to be trying to balance her work and personal life by cutting down her working hours.


Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s viral tweet

The director of ‘Spirit’ did not hold back when he took to his X handle to express his anger. He wrote, “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, you’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are… Putting down a younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft, and for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it.”

He also added in Hindi, “Aisa karo… Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha. #dirtyPRgames. I like this kahawat very much: खुंदक में बिल्ली खंबा नोचे !”


Triptii Dimri stepped in for ‘Spirit.’

After Deepika’s exit from ‘Spirit,’ Triptii Dimri was announced as the new female lead. The actress, who worked with Vanga earlier in ‘Animal,’ confirmed her role by posting a picture of the title poster with her name written in several Indian and international languages. She wrote, “Still sinking in… So grateful to be trusted with this journey. Thank you, @sandeepreddy.vanga… Honored to be a part of your vision.”

With these sudden changes in cast and ongoing buzz about Deepika's work preferences, the film industry seems divided. While some applaud her for prioritising personal well-being, others are questioning if her choices are affecting big-ticket projects. For now, all eyes remain on the official word from the ‘Kalki 2’ team.