Deepika Padukone On Kalki 2 Exit: "It`s Not About A 500 Crore Film Anymore"
Updated on: 19 November, 2025 02:34 PM IST |Shweta Shah
Deepika Padukone opens up on Kalki 2, Spirit exit
Deepika Padukone has been hitting the headlines for her forward choices of walking out from projects that don`t fuel her purpose. After walking out from Sandeep Reddy Vanga`s Spirit, she recently exited from the sequel of Kalki 2898 AD.
In a recent interview, the actress opened up on choosing the scripts more mindfully and not making storytelling a money business. She also shared that whenever there`s a self-introspection phase, Deepika “sometimes looks back at some of her choices with regret.”
In her new interview with Harper`s Bazaar India, the Piku actress stated that big-budget films no longer excite her. It is more about storytelling and supporting creative minds.
“Because honestly, how much more fame, how much more success, how much more money? At this stage, it’s not about that anymore. It’s not about the ₹100-crore films, or even the ₹500-₹600crore ones,” Deepika said.
Also Read: After Sandeep Reddy Vanga`s Spirit, Deepika Padukone Quits The Intern Remake
When pointed out that she has ticked all the boxes of being the lead heroine of the 100-crore-club movies, she claimed her purpose as an actor and storyteller has changed.
The diva added, “And that doesn’t excite me anymore. What excites me is empowering other talent. My team and I are now focused on that—enabling storytelling and supporting other creative minds, writers, directors, and even new producers. That’s what feels meaningful to me now.”
Deepika Padukone also admitted that this wisdom and clarity came over time and is not something she`s always possessed.
“Was I always this clear? Maybe not. But I’ve reached that clarity now. Do I sometimes look back and think, ‘What was I thinking? ’ Of course. That’s part of learning. Maybe 10 years from now, I’ll question some of today’s choices. But right now, they feel honest,” the Chennai Express actress explained.
On the work front, she has two exciting projects lined up – King with Shah Rukh Khan and Atlee`s `AA22xA6`, which also features Allu Arjun.
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