Deepika Padukone recently made headlines for her ousting from Kalki 2. According to a recent report, the makers of Kalki 2 decided to drop Deepika from the project after she demanded a 25 percent increase in her fees, as well as a reduced 7-hour work shift. Sources suggest that the filmmakers attempted to negotiate these terms with the actress, but she remained firm in her stance.
Deepika drops a cryptic note
In the wee hours of Saturday morning, the actress shared a sweet photo of herself holding hands with her King co-star, Shah Rukh Khan. Alongside the post, she wrote, “The very first lesson he taught me almost 18 years ago while filming Om Shanti Om was that the experience of making a movie, and the people you make it with, matter far more than its success.”
Deepika further added, “I couldn’t agree more and have applied that learning to every decision I’ve made since. And that’s probably why we’re back making our 6th movie together?”
Soon after the photo was uploaded on social media, the actress`s husband Ranveer Singh commented, calling SRK and Deepika the “Bestest Besties!” Meanwhile, one fan said, “Take it to double digits, you two are the best duo.” A third fan said, “I`m very pleased with you! Stand up for yourself and never stop believing in what you deserve! “I love you.”
Here`s what Deepika demanded
According to a report in Bollywood Hungama, the directors of Kalki 2 chose to part ways with Deepika Padukone after she demanded a 25 percent raise in her salary and just 7-hour work days. Despite the producers` attempts to compromise and satisfy these concerns, Deepika remained adamant.
It was then reported, “Deepika Padukone demanded a 25 per cent increment on the acting fees she was paid for the first part of the film. That’s not all, she put her foot down on shooting for just 7 hours a day. Given that Kalki 2898 AD is a VFX-heavy film, such short shoots were likely to shoot up the budget by a reasonable amount. The producers were willing to provide a luxury vanity to Deepika for rest, in return for longer shoot hours, but she refused. They also tried to negotiate finances, given that even Prabhas had not asked for an increment in fees. She and her team refused to adjust on either.”
On Thursday, the producers of Prabhas` Kalki 2898 AD took to their official X (previously Twitter) account to announce Deepika Padukone`s departure from the project. “This is to officially announce that Deepika Padukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel of Kalki 2898 AD. After careful consideration. We have decided to part ways. Despite the long journey of making the first film, we were unable to find a partnership. And a film like Kalki 2898 AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future works,” the statement read.
Deepika Padukone has split company with Prabhas after his second film, Kalki. Previously, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga had pulled her from the project Spirit.
