Deepika Padukone joins Shah Rukh Khan in 'King' after exiting 'Kalki 2989 AD' sequel

Deepika Padukone confirms her role alongside Shah Rukh Khan in the upcoming film 'King', marking their sixth collaboration, after stepping away from 'Kalki 2989 AD' sequel.

Actress Deepika Padukone confirmed her participation in Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming film 'King', sharing an emotional post on social media. She reflected on her long-standing collaboration with SRK, recalling the lesson he taught her 18 years ago during Om Shanti Om: that the experience of making a movie and the people involved matter more than its success. This marks their sixth film together.

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The announcement comes after Vyjayanthi Movies officially confirmed Deepika’s exit from the sequel of 'Kalki 2989 AD'. The production house cited inability to find the required commitment for the project and wished her well in future ventures. Earlier in 2025, Deepika had also opted out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s 'Spirit', reportedly due to differences over intimate scenes, work schedules, remuneration, and profit-sharing. Triptii Dimri replaced her as the female lead in 'Spirit'.

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'King' boasts an ensemble cast featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Arshad Warsi, Rani Mukerji, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Saurabh Shukla, Raghav Juyal, and Abhay Verma. The film is tentatively slated for a Gandhi Jayanti 2026 theatrical release, creating high anticipation among fans.

Deepika’s return alongside SRK has already sparked excitement on social media, with audiences eagerly awaiting the duo’s on-screen chemistry, following the actor’s recent departures from other high-profile projects.

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