In a twist that has left fans and the film industry buzzing, Deepika Padukone’s exit from the much-anticipated sequel of Kalki 2898 AD took center stage this week. While the official announcement by Vyjayanthi Movies was brief yet respectful, what followed next turned heads across social media—a cryptic Instagram story from the film’s director, Nag Ashwin, that many are calling a silent but pointed response to the developing drama.
Shortly after the announcement that Deepika would not be reprising her role as SUM-80 aka Sumathi, Nag Ashwin re-shared a fan-made video clip on his Instagram Stories. The video featured Krishna’s dramatic entry from the first Kalki 2898 AD film, accompanied by a loaded caption:
“You can’t change what happened, but you can choose what happens next.”
Though Ashwin didn’t mention any names, the timing of the post—just hours after the production house confirmed Deepika's departure—fueled intense speculation. The director’s choice to quote a fan edit rather than issue a formal statement only added to the air of mystery.
Meanwhile, several users also admired the director's apparent focus on moving forward with the sequel, without getting publicly entangled in controversies.
While neither Deepika Padukone nor Nag Ashwin have issued detailed personal statements, reports suggest that contractual disagreements may have led to the split. Vyjayanthi Movies’ official statement echoed this sentiment, stating:
“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.”
With filming for the sequel scheduled to begin in December 2025, all eyes are now on the casting updates. Deepika’s character, SUM-80, played a key emotional and narrative role in the original. Whether her character will be written out, recast, or replaced with a new lead remains to be seen.
What’s clear, however, is that Nag Ashwin is focused on the future, as implied in his now-viral post. The message isn’t just a subtle response to recent events—it’s a signal that the show must go on, and the vision for Kalki 2898 AD will not be compromised.