Deepika Padukone's departure from the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD has become a major talking point in the Indian film industry, with reports surfacing about her exit and the circumstances surrounding it. While initial reports suggested scheduling conflicts, the actual reasons appear to be more complex, revolving around a reduction in her role and disagreements over work conditions.

Initially, the sequel was planned with Deepika Padukone's character, Sumathi aka SUM-80, playing a central role. However, changes to the script significantly reduced her part, essentially turning it into a cameo. This reportedly led to Padukone's decision to leave the project. The production house, Vyjayanthi Movies, alluded to the parting in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the need for "full commitment" for a film like Kalki 2898 AD and stating that they were unable to find a partnership.

While neither Padukone nor the production house explicitly confirmed the reasons for the split, reports have circulated about the actress allegedly asking for a 25% increase in her fees compared to the first film. Additionally, there were claims that she insisted on limiting her shooting schedule to seven hours per day and demanded five-star accommodations and reimbursements for food for her 25-person crew. Some reports suggest that producers offered her a luxury vanity for rest periods in exchange for longer working hours, but she declined.

These demands, coupled with the reduction of her role, seemingly created an impasse between Padukone and the Kalki 2898 AD team. The production house's statement about commitment was interpreted by many as a subtle hint at these disagreements. Director Nag Ashwin shared a cryptic message on his Instagram Stories, "You can't change what happened, but you can choose what happens next," which further fueled speculation about the circumstances of Padukone's exit.

The controversy has sparked debate about work culture in Bollywood, with some defending Padukone's right to set boundaries and prioritize work-life balance, especially after becoming a mother. Others view her demands as excessive and a sign of entitlement, arguing that the film industry often requires unpredictable and long shooting hours.

Amidst the Kalki 2898 AD sequel controversy, an old interview resurfaced where producer Ramesh Taurani accused Padukone of unprofessional behavior after she backed out of Race 2 in 2012, after shooting for six days.

Following her exit from Kalki 2898 AD sequel, Deepika Padukone has already started working on her next project, King, alongside Shah Rukh Khan. She also posted a message on Instagram, seemingly referencing the controversy. She stated that the experience of making a movie and the people you make it with matter far more than its success. Bhumi Pednekar and Tabu have also reacted to the controversy, with Pednekar showing support for Padukone's new project and Tabu liking a post that seemed to hint at the controversy surrounding Padukone's exit from Kalki 2898 AD and Spirit.