Overview

• In an official post on X, the producers said Padukone will not return and wrote that the project “deserves that commitment and much more.”
• Multiple outlets, citing unnamed sources, reported she sought a fee hike, limited daily shooting hours and premium arrangements for her entourage, which have not been confirmed by either party.
• Other reports claimed her role in the sequel was pared down to a cameo, with sources saying the change led her team to exit.
• Director Nag Ashwin shared a cryptic note — “You can’t change what happened, but you can choose what happens next” — shortly after the announcement.
• Padukone has not commented publicly, the makers aim to roll the sequel toward year-end, and online reaction highlighted the unusually pointed tone of the statement.