The next installment of Kalki 2898 AD is starting to come together, and there is one casting update that is getting a lot of buzz from within the industry about the sequel (which starts shooting in early 2026). The original act (Deepika Padukone) played by Sai Pallavi for the sequel has caused confusion about the next chapter due to a departure from the type of character that was originally portrayed.
Although Kalki 2898 AD was a successful commercial venture, it represented a monumental cultural milestone regarding the potential for successful cross-border (North American, Europe, etc.) language film distribution of large-scale Indian Science Fiction movies. Any change in the casting of Sum-80 for the sequel has considerable narrative and artistic importance.
Sequel preparations move into active phase
Director Nag Ashwin and producer Vyjayanthi Movies are preparing to begin principal photography for Kalki 2 in February 2026. Prabhas is expected to resume work on the project after completing prior commitments, while Amitabh Bachchan’s Ashwatthama remains central to the continuing storyline.
From production tracking and trade reporting, the sequel is expected to expand the world established in Part 1, moving deeper into the dystopian future while continuing its mythological throughline from the Mahabharata. With that expansion comes the need for sustained character arcs rather than cameo-style appearances, which has reportedly influenced casting discussions.
Why Deepika Padukone’s role is being revisited
The production team has clarified that Deepika Padukone is not part of Kalki 2 in its current planning. The reason, as stated by those close to the project, relates primarily to scheduling alignment and the evolving scope of the character.
Unlike Part 1, where Sum-80 functioned as a symbolic bridge between myth and future, the sequel is expected to demand a longer shooting schedule and more physically intensive scenes for the role. Coordinating long-term availability across a multi-year franchise has become increasingly complex for actors with international and pan-India commitments.
There has been no official suggestion of creative disagreement. Industry observers largely view this as a logistical decision shaped by the realities of franchise filmmaking rather than a break in professional ties.
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Sai Pallavi enters the conversation
Sai Pallavi being considered for the role has immediately sparked discussion, largely because of how distinct her screen presence is from that of Deepika Padukone. Known for performances rooted in emotional realism, Sai Pallavi has built her career on characters that feel lived-in rather than stylized.
For a role that represents motherhood, resistance, and moral choice within a dystopian system, this casting direction signals a shift toward emotional intimacy rather than grandeur. The makers have not announced a final decision, but they have indicated that her acting sensibility aligns naturally with the arc being developed for the sequel.
For Telugu audiences, Sai Pallavi’s presence also strengthens cultural continuity, while her growing Hindi-language visibility helps preserve the film’s pan-India reach.
How the character arc may evolve in Part 2
In Kalki 2898 AD, Sum-80 was introduced as part of a larger philosophical puzzle. The sequel is expected to bring that arc into sharper focus as the rebellion against the authoritarian Complex intensifies.
A performance-driven approach could allow the character to function not just as a narrative device, but as an emotional anchor for the story’s human stakes. This may be particularly important as the sequel moves further into large-scale conflict and visual spectacle.
How the casting decision could shape the Kalki universe
Kalki is being developed as a long-term cinematic universe rather than a two-film experiment. Decisions taken at this stage will influence not only Part 2 but also any future installments that explore Ashwatthama’s immortality, the rise of the rebellion, and the mythological resolution hinted at in the first film.
Choosing an actor who can stay with the franchise across multiple phases provides narrative stability. It also allows writers to design character growth without needing to reintroduce or reduce roles due to availability constraints.
How fans and film circles are reacting
Online reactions have been divided but largely constructive. Some viewers associate Deepika Padukone strongly with the emotional impact of Part 1, while others are curious to see how Sai Pallavi’s more raw performance style might reshape the role.
What stands out is that the discussion has remained focused on storytelling rather than star politics, suggesting that the franchise has succeeded in making audiences care about its world first and its casting second.
Next steps as Kalki 2 moves toward filming
The makers are expected to make formal casting announcements once schedules are locked and pre-production transitions into active shooting. Large set pieces are likely to be mounted in Hyderabad, with additional sequences planned on custom-built dystopian sets.
Music composer M. M. Keeravani is expected to return, reinforcing continuity in tone and scale. The release window is currently being aligned with the studio’s broader slate, with a 2027 theatrical debut under consideration.
