Kalki 2898 AD: Nag Ashwin Gives Further Update On Shoot Hints For Longer Wait

Nag Ashwin's futuristic epic Kalki 2898 AD, starring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Amitabh Bachchan, won the hearts of audiences when it released and became a massive box-office success. Since then, fans have been eagerly anticipating news of its sequel. However, the wait may stretch longer than expected.

In a podcast appearance, director Nag Ashwin explained that the scale and complexity of the sequel were far greater, which meant additional time would be required. He pointed out that coordinating the schedules of the lead actors was a challenge and that the pre-visualized action sequences were significantly bigger than those in the first film. Ashwin also added that while the filming itself would take time, the post-production process generally took even longer. According to him, the sequel might take two to three years before reaching completion.

More recently, during a media interaction ahead of the re-release of his debut directorial Yevade Subramanyam, Ashwin shared that the sequel is scheduled to begin filming in December this year. Addressing concerns about Prabhas's limited screen presence in the first film, he clarified that Kalki 2898 AD had been more focused on world-building and on establishing the backstories of Deepika Padukone's Sumati and Amitabh Bachchan's Ashwatthama. This, he said, was to lay the groundwork for the character of Karna, played by Prabhas. He assured fans that the second part would highlight Karna's journey in greater depth, with a strong focus on the dynamic between him and Ashwatthama.

About Kalki 2898 AD

Released in June 2024, Kalki 2898 AD also featured Kamal Haasan alongside the lead trio. The film became a global hit, grossing more than ₹1000 crore worldwide. Prabhas appeared as Bhairava, a gritty and ambitious bounty hunter from the dystopian city of Kasi, aided by his AI companion, Bujji. His character's missions revolved around survival and personal ambition.

The sequel is expected to turn the spotlight on Supreme Yaskin, played by Kamal Haasan, who now possesses the strength to push his mission forward. At the same time, the story will explore the struggles of Bhairava and Ashwatthama as they fight to protect SUM-80's unborn child, believed to be the final avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kalki.

Deepika Padukone's Exit Rumors

Speculation has recently surfaced about Deepika Padukone's role in the sequel. According to an Instagram page named Bollywood, the actress has reportedly requested shorter work hours after embracing motherhood, which has allegedly led to friction on set. The report suggested that the makers are considering scaling back or even removing her role from Kalki 2. However, no official confirmation has been made by the production team regarding this development.

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