Deepika Padukone ‘Hellbent’ On Her Kalki 2 Work Schedule; Nag Ashwin To Replace Her?

Deepika Padukone has been making headlines for a long time now, but for all the wrong reasons.

First, she was ousted from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and then, it was reported that she might be removed from Kalki 2 as well. While an insider recently claimed that reports of Deepika’s exit from Kalki 2 are false, a new report has claimed otherwise.

If a recent report by Telugu360 is to be believed, Kalki director Nag Ashwin is likely to replace Deepika Padukone from the sequel of the film. Reportedly, the director has penned a substantial role for Deepika in part 2 of his superhit movie. It is being said that her character will have more weight this time.

However, the report claims that Deepika Padukone is “hellbent” on her working conditions and turning out to be a “big headache” to the makers of Kalki 2. Reportedly, she is not willing to adjust her work schedule or other aspects related to her dates. It is for this reason that Nag Ashwin is planning to replace her in the movie. However, there is no official confirmation to this as of now.

On Friday, an Instagram page called Bollywood.mobi reported that Deepika Padukone’s demand for shorter work hours post-motherhood is reportedly causing “friction on sets”. The makers of Kalki 2 are considering reducing or removing her role.

However, later in the day, sources close to the film’s production debunked the theory that Deepika was dropped due to “on-set friction.” “They (Kalki 2 makers) haven’t even approached actors because it’s still in development,” the insider told NDTV and then added, “There’s been no shoot, no interaction, and therefore, no fallout.”

Previously, Sandeep Reddy Vanga had also removed Deepika Padukone from Spirit. Reports suggest that her demands, including eight-hour workdays, a high salary, and a share in the film’s profits, did not sit well with director Vanga. Deepika, a new mother, is reportedly seeking to balance her work and personal life by reducing her working hours.

Vanga also took to his X handle and slammed Deepika by accusing her of playing ‘dirty PR games’. “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 & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it,” Vanga wrote and then added, “Aisa karo…. Agli baar poori kahani bolna… kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha. #dirtyPRgames. I like this kahawath very much 🙂 खुंदक में बिल्ली खंबा नोचे !”

Following Deepika’s exit, it was then confirmed that Triptii Dimri will play a part in the Vanga directorial.