A Star Heroine to Replace Deepika in Kalki 2..?

Pan-India star Prabhas is currently busy with several big projects. His films Spirit and Fauji are on the sets, with Spirit scheduled for release in March next year. Along with these, Prabhas is reportedly planning to take Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2 onto the sets soon.

Director Nag Ashwin has already begun pre-production work and is planning to start the shoot in the first week of February. The sequel has now become a hot topic in both Tollywood and Bollywood, especially because of the ongoing discussions about who will replace Deepika Padukone. In the first part of Kalki 2898 AD, Deepika impressed everyone with her performance as Sumathi. However, due to schedule conflicts and remuneration issues, she officially stepped out of Kalki 2 in 2025. After her exit, names like Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Shetty, Shraddha Kapoor and Kalyani Priyadarshan started circulating in the media. Now, the latest buzz is that Sai Pallavi is being strongly considered for the key role. Known for her natural acting and graceful dance performances, Sai Pallavi has captured the hearts of Telugu audiences. Reports suggest that Nag Ashwin believes Sai Pallavi would perfectly suit the story of Kalki 2 and make a great pair with Prabhas. However, this is still just a rumor, as there has been no official confirmation yet. According to industry sources, the makers are being extremely cautious in choosing the female lead, since the film’s success in the Hindi market will also depend heavily on the casting. Official updates from Vyjayanthi Movies and director Nag Ashwin are expected soon.

Released in 2024, Kalki 2898 AD became a box office sensation, collecting over ₹1100 crores worldwide. The makers now aim to create a sequel that surpasses those expectations. However, the delay in finalizing the heroine may push the shooting schedule further. In the end, the big question remains — after Deepika Padukone’s exit, will Sai Pallavi step in, or will another star heroine take her place? The suspense will continue until the makers make an official announcement. One thing is certain though — the hype around Kalki 2898 AD: Part 2 is growing stronger with each passing day.