Deepika Padukone Exits Kalki 2898 AD 2, Alia Bhatt Emerges as Top Choice

In October 2025, news broke that Deepika Padukone has exited the upcoming sequel to the 2023 hit film Kalki 2898 AD. The first part of the mythological sci-fi drama had impressed viewers with its futuristic plot and visual storytelling. However, the recent update has left many surprised, as Deepika, who played the pivotal role of SUM-80 in the original, will not be reprising her character.

Amidst the speculation around Deepika's replacement, reports indicate that National Award-winning actress Alia Bhatt is the leading choice to take on the role of Suumati (SUM-80) in Kalki 2. Alia and director Nag Ashwin had already discussed collaborating on another project, and it now appears that he is interested in casting her in the sequel instead.

While the producers have not yet made an official announcement, industry insiders suggest that Alia is in serious discussions to join the cast of Kalki 2898 AD 2. If the deal materializes, her entry will certainly add more star power to the already impressive ensemble, which includes Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan. The movie is set to go on floors in 2026 and is expected to take the saga to an even larger scale.