Deepika Padukone’s 25% Hike, 7 Hours Work Demand Reasons For Ouster From Kalki 2898 AD 2? Here’s What We Know

Hours after the makers of Kalki 2 announced that Deepika Padukone is no longer involved with the project, a report now sheds light on the reasons behind her ousting. According to a recent article, the decision was driven by her demands for a 25 per cent increase in her fees, coupled with a 7-hour workday. The production team reportedly attempted to negotiate these terms, but Deepika remained firm.

Why Deepika Padukone QUIT Kalki 2?

“Deepika Padukone demanded a 25 per cent raise on her original acting fee for the first part of the film. Additionally, she insisted on a strict 7-hour shooting schedule. Since Kalki 2898 AD is heavily reliant on VFX, such short shooting hours could have increased production costs significantly. The producers offered her a luxury vanity for rest in exchange for longer shoot hours, but she declined. They also tried to negotiate her fees, noting that even Prabhas did not request an increase, but her team refused to compromise on either front,” a source close to the project revealed to Bollywood Hungama.

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Deepika’s Demand For 25 Entourage Members

The report further claimed that Deepika’s entourage was also a point of contention. It was reported that she travels with around 25 people and demanded five-star accommodations along with reimbursement for food expenses during the shoot. Despite requests from the producers to reduce her team size, Deepika remained steadfast.

“Deepika’s entourage is quite large, with nearly 25 members accompanying her on set. They demanded five-star lodging and reimbursement for meals throughout the shoot. Why should the producers bear the cost of her team’s stay and food over and above her acting fees? This is a common issue faced by many Hindi film producers,” the insider added.

On Thursday, the official makers of the Prabhas starrer announced Deepika’s exit via their X (formerly Twitter) account. The statement emphasised that her departure was due to the film’s need for full commitment. “This is to officially announce that @deepikapadukone will not be part of the upcoming sequel of #Kalki2898AD. After careful consideration, we have decided to part ways. Despite the long journey of making the first film, we were unable to establish a partnership. A film like @Kalki2898AD deserves complete dedication, and unfortunately, that was not possible at this time. We wish her the best in her future endeavors,” the statement read.

Deepika’s Spirit Exit

This isn’t Deepika’s first exit from a Prabhas project. She was previously removed from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Spirit. Reports suggest that her demands—including eight-hour workdays, a hefty salary, and a profit share—clashed with director Vanga’s vision. As a new mother, Deepika is reportedly seeking to balance her career and personal life by reducing her working hours. Following her exit, it was announced that Triptii Dimri will step into her role in Vanga’s upcoming film.

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Also Read: 7 Deepika Padukone-Inspired Ethnic Looks To Slay The Traditional Fashion Games This Ganesh Chaturthi

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