Sai Pallavi to Replace Deepika Padukone in Kalki Sequel?

If industry sources are to be believed, director Nag Ashwin may have zeroed in on a new actress to replace Bollywood star Deepika Padukone in the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD. According to reports, Sai Pallavi has emerged as the strongest contender for the role, though an official confirmation from the makers is still awaited.

“Sai Pallavi is a hot contender and is expected to join the project soon, but the announcement is yet to be made,” says a source. Meanwhile, speculation continues about who will step into the role originally played by Deepika Padukone. Insiders feel that Sai Pallavi, who is currently portraying Goddess Sita in Ramayana, has gained massive pan-India appeal and would be a perfect fit for the character.

Prabhas’ sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, captured audiences’ imagination by brilliantly blending futuristic elements with references from the Hindu epic Mahabharata. The film received widespread acclaim, and expectations are now sky-high for its sequel, which is expected to go on floors in the second half of February.

“The sequel will once again feature legends like Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Prabhas in key roles,” the source adds.

Apart from Kalki, Sai Pallavi is also starring in Ek Din, featuring Aamir Khan’s son Junaid Khan and directed by Sunil Pandey. The film is slated for release on May 1, 2026.

An official announcement regarding the casting is expected soon. “The makers are confident that Sai Pallavi would do complete justice to the role of Sumati, who is pregnant and destined to give birth to Kalki, the final avatar of Lord Vishnu,” the source concludes. While Bollywood names like Alia Bhatt are believed to appeal strongly in North India, the team reportedly feels that for the South, Sai Pallavi is the ideal choice.