Nag Ashwin rules out new cast for Kalki 2898 AD sequel, eyes 2028 release

Director Nag Ashwin has made it clear that the Kalki 2898 AD sequel will not bring in fresh faces. Asked in a recent interview about new additions to the cast, the filmmaker said there would be none. He explained that the team is carrying forward the story it began, and that the film already has plenty of characters.

That answer has fans talking about the female lead once again. Deepika Padukone, who starred in the first film alongside Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan, will not return for the second part. Producers Vyjayanthi Movies announced last year that they had decided to part ways with her. The makers have not named anyone to take over her role. Sai Pallavi has reportedly been linked to the part, but nothing has been confirmed.

The reasons behind the exit are still not clear. Reports claimed Deepika had asked for a 25 percent pay hike, while other reports said her role in the sequel had been cut down. The actor has not spoken directly about leaving the project.

On the production side, things are finally moving. Nag Ashwin said individual scenes featuring Kamal Haasan and Amitabh Bachchan were filmed earlier this year. The full shoot had been waiting on Prabhas's dates, and that problem has now been solved. With call sheets locked for the entire cast, regular filming begins in mid-October. The director hopes to finish the whole shoot by the middle of next year and then move into post-production.

On the release, Nag Ashwin said he would rather complete filming before talking about a date. Still, he indicated that the sequel looks set to reach theatres in 2028.

Kalki 2898 AD released in 2024 and won the National Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. It also reportedly picked up the award for Best Production Design, and is said to have earned over Rs 1,100 crore worldwide.