Sai Pallavi to Replace Deepika Padukone in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ Sequel? Makers Eye Her for Sumati Role

The buzz around the sequel to Nag Ashwin’s 2024 blockbuster ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ has intensified, and reports now suggest that Sai Pallavi may replace Deepika Padukone in the role of Sumati.

Sai Pallavi Steps In?
According to industry insiders, Sai Pallavi, known for her acclaimed performance in Ramayan, is being considered to continue the story of the SUM-80 character originally played by Deepika Padukone. The film’s producers, Vyjayanthi Movies, and director Nag Ashwin have not officially commented on this speculation. However, multiple updates have surfaced on social media and industry platforms. With stars like Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan in the film, Deepika’s exit has been a major talking point, prompting the makers to look for a suitable replacement for her character.

Deepika’s Departure
Reports suggest that Deepika Padukone had completed around 20 days of shooting for the sequel. Her exit is said to have occurred after she requested 8-hour shooting shifts, which the makers were unable to accommodate. This demand, along with prior commitments to Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, led to her leaving the project.

Why Sai Pallavi?
The production team reportedly feels that Sai Pallavi would be a perfect fit for the SUM-80 character following Deepika’s departure. While nothing has been finalized officially, insiders indicate that she aligns well with the vision for the role.

About SUM-80 / Sumati in ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
In the original film, Deepika’s character, SUM-80 (Sumati), is a pregnant woman held in a lab called Project K. She is the foretold mother of Kalki. During the story, she escapes from Kamal Haasan’s character, Supreme Yaskin, and is cared for by Amitabh Bachchan’s character, Ashwathama. In the climax, Prabhas’ character, Bhairav, rescues the pregnant SUM-80. For the Telugu version of the film, Deepika’s role was dubbed by Shobhita Dhulipala.

Box Office Success
The original Kalki 2898 AD was a massive commercial success, earning ₹1,042.25 crore worldwide, making it the sixth highest-grossing Indian film to date.