Director Nag Ashwin has provided a progress update on the much-anticipated sequel to his 2024 science fiction film, Kalki 2898 AD. He disclosed that only a mere ten days of filming have been completed thus far, with plans to accelerate production once lead actor Prabhas concludes his current film commitments.
During a promotional event for Dulquer Salmaan’s film I’m Game in Hyderabad, Ashwin addressed the status of the sequel succinctly. “We haven’t made much progress; we’ve filmed for just about ten days. We will shoot extensively once Prabhas is available,” he stated.
The sequel, which was officially announced shortly after the original film, began production earlier this year but has faced delays due to Prabhas’s involvement in other major projects. Currently, he is engaged in two significant films: Hanu Raghavapudi’s period war drama Fauzi, featuring Imanvi as the female lead and slated for release on December 3, and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, co-starring Triptii Dimri, which is scheduled to premiere on March 5, 2027.
A notable change in the sequel’s cast is the departure of Deepika Padukone, who portrayed the crucial character of Sumathi (also known as SUM-80), a pregnant woman thought to bear the 10th avatar of Vishnu. Her character played a central emotional role in the first installment, but she will not be returning for the sequel.
Vyjayanthi Movies issued a statement on X confirming her exit, stating: “After thorough consideration, we have decided to part ways. Despite the lengthy journey of creating the first film, we could not finalize a partnership. A project of this magnitude requires commitment and more.”
Although the filming of Prabhas’s scenes remains largely unfinished, progress has been made in other areas. In February, Amitabh Bachchan shared on his personal blog that he had been working on the sequel alongside Kamal Haasan. He apologized to his fans for missing his usual Sunday meet, emphasizing that work had to take precedence.
Bachchan posted behind-the-scenes photos of himself with Kamal on set, showcasing their interactions. In the images, he was dressed in full costume as Ashwatthama, the immortal warrior from the first film, complete with armor and a weathered appearance. In contrast, Kamal was seen in casual attire, not in his Supreme Yaskin costume.
Kalki 2898 AD, which premiered in June 2024, is a dystopian science fiction epic set in the year 2898, in the city of Kasi. It merges elements of Hindu mythology with futuristic storytelling. The film was produced by C Aswini Dutt under the Vyjayanthi Movies banner, featuring music by Santhosh Narayanan and cinematography by Djordje Stojiljkovic. The cast included Prabhas as Bhairava and Karna, Deepika Padukone as Sumathi, Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama, and Kamal Haasan as Supreme Yaskin.
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