The Real Reason Behind Deepika Padukone's Shocking Exit from 'Kalki 2898 AD'

Deepika Padukone's abrupt departure from the much-anticipated film 'Kalki 2898 AD' (formerly 'Project K') sent shockwaves through the industry. While official statements remained vague, insider reports paint a detailed picture of the 'unreasonable demands' allegedly made by her team, ultimately leading to her replacement by Disha Patani.

Sources close to the production revealed a series of conditions that reportedly proved too challenging for Vyjayanthi Movies, a production house known for its star-friendly approach.

At the forefront of these demands was a significant hike in Deepika's remuneration. While specific figures weren't disclosed, the increase was deemed substantial enough to cause friction.

Beyond financial terms, the demands extended to working conditions. Deepika's team allegedly insisted on drastically reduced working hours, proposing a 6-8 hour workday instead of the industry standard 12-14 hours.

This presented a major logistical challenge for a big-budget, multi-starrer production like 'Kalki 2898 AD', which often requires extensive schedules.

Travel and accommodation stipulations were also reportedly a point of contention. The actress's team demanded luxurious 5-star hotel accommodation, even for shoots in remote locations where such facilities might not be readily available.

Furthermore, there were specific requirements for chartered flights and high-end luxury vehicles for her travel to and from sets.

The size of her entourage was another factor. Reports indicate a demand for an expanded personal team, including multiple hair stylists, make-up artists, a dedicated stylist, security personnel, a spot boy, a manager, and an assistant, all to be accommodated by the production house.

Perhaps most impactful were the demands concerning shoot locations.

Deepika's team reportedly expressed a strong preference for shooting exclusively in Mumbai, making outdoor schedules or shoots in other cities conditional and subject to additional negotiations. This limitation on location flexibility could severely hamper a film of this scale.

In stark contrast, co-star Prabhas, despite his massive star power, is known for his accommodating nature and rarely makes such extensive demands, focusing instead on the film's production.

This difference in approach reportedly made Deepika's terms even more difficult to reconcile.

Ultimately, despite Vyjayanthi Movies' reputation for collaborating smoothly with top stars, the cumulative effect of these demands proved to be an insurmountable hurdle. The production house reportedly found it impossible to meet all the conditions while staying within their operational framework, leading to the difficult decision of parting ways with Deepika Padukone and bringing Disha Patani on board as her replacement.