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.