Deepika Padukona exiting the sequel of Kalki 2898 AD has been one of the most talked-about industry developments in recent times. After the film’s producers Vyjayanthi Films posted an official note on their X page about parting ways with Deepika, there was a lot of speculation about the actual reasons for the Jawan actor being dropped from the project, even as Deepika fans awaited a response from their favouite actor.

On Friday night, Deepika Padukone shared a photo from the sets of her new film King, which also stars Shah Rukh Khan, while also posting a cryptic note, referring to her exit from Kalki sequel. Sharing a BTS image, where she can be seen holding hands with Shah Rukh, Deepika penned referring to her Jawan co-star, “The very first lesson he taught me almost 18 years ago while filming Om Shanti Om was that the experience of making a movie, and the people you make it with, matter far more than its success.” Deepika added that she has applied this learning to ‘every decision she has made since.’

King, directed by Siddharth Anand, marks the 6th collaboration between Deepika and Shah Rukh — after Om Shanti Om, Chennai Express, Happy New Year, Pathaan, and Jawan. 

It is to be noted that earlier this year, a similar controversy had emerged when Animal filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga posted a cryptic note about Deepika’s unprofessionalism after she had reportedly chosen to walk out of Prabhas starrer Spirit when her ‘unreasonable’ conditions were not met. 

On the other hand, there is no official update on the shooting timeline or release plan for Kalki sequel from the makers. Considering Prabhas will first begin shooting for Spirit, the Kalki sequel could take another 4-5 years before it is ready to arrive in theatres.