Speculation surrounding the cast of Ayan Mukerji’s upcoming fantasy film Brahmastra 2 has been put to rest. Despite ongoing industry reports suggesting actress Deepika Padukone would reprise her role in the sequel, her official team has publicly denied any involvement with the production.
Deepika Padukone No in ‘Brahmastra 2’
Addressing the widespread casting rumours, Padukone’s representative released a brief clarification confirming that the actor will not be appearing in the film. “All recent reports of Deepika Padukone being a part of Brahmastra 2 or associated with the project in any capacity are untrue,” her team stated.
Padukone made a brief cameo in the 2022 blockbuster Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva, playing Amrita, a powerful Astra wielder and the mother of the protagonist, Shiva (played by Ranbir Kapoor). Because the first instalment established Amrita as a central figure in the franchise’s backstory, particularly in relation to the main antagonist, Dev, industry observers had widely anticipated her return in a larger capacity for the second chapter.
The official clarification arrives amid broader media attention regarding Padukone’s recent professional departures. The actor previously opted out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit and Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD sequel, reportedly due to disagreements over compensation structure and working schedules.
Despite stepping away from these projects, Padukone maintains a busy production schedule. She is currently filming King, starring Shah Rukh Khan, alongside Atlee’s pan-Indian sci-fi fantasy project Raaka, co-starring Allu Arjun.
Looking Ahead for the Franchise
With Padukone officially out of the project, questions remain regarding how director Ayan Mukerji and the creative team will address the character of Amrita moving forward. Brahmastra 2 aims to expand on the mythology introduced in the original film, which centred on the origin stories of Shiva and Isha (Alia Bhatt). The production team has not yet announced a release window or casting updates regarding the key roles of Dev and Amrita for the second instalment.