Word on the street is that Sai Pallavi is taking over Deepika Padukone’s SUM-80 (Sumathi) role in the next chapter of Kalki 2898 AD. The chatter online is wild, memes, rumors, fan wars, you name it. And honestly, who can blame them? Prabhas is back, Nag Ashwin’s at the helm, and now this curveball casting. Let’s dig in.

So here’s what’s up: Sai Pallavi, the force of nature behind films like Premam and Virata Parvam, is in for SUM-80. Deepika, who played a pregnant Sumathi in the 2024 blockbuster, had to bail, scheduling drama, apparently. Insiders say Pallavi’s raw, real style is exactly what the character needs. She’s got that presence that can light up a scene, and honestly, the franchise is betting big on her.

Let’s not forget, the first Kalki 2898 AD smashed records, over 1000 crores worldwide. Hindu mythology meets sci-fi, Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama, Kamal Haasan as Supreme Yaskin… it was a mad ride. Now, with the sequel, the stakes are even higher. Prabhas returns as Bhairava/Karna, and the fight for humanity is about to get way crazier.

Sai Pallavi’s career is on fire. She picks roles with grit, no damsels, just strong women who take charge. She’s 33, already set to play Sita in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, and now she’s stepping into one of sci-fi’s most hyped roles. Word is, cameras start rolling in February 2026.

Can Pallavi match the emotional punch Deepika brought? Everyone’s got an opinion, and most of them are hyped. Producer Swapna Dutt let slip that 35% of the sequel was already shot by late 2024, so things are moving fast.

Plot-wise, expect answers to those burning questions: Will the child become Kalki? How far will Yaskin’s forces go? Vyjayanthi Movies is pouring everything into this, expect next-level VFX and action that’ll make your jaw drop. This casting change isn’t just a shake-up, it could totally flip the franchise’s appeal. Official word’s still under wraps, but all signs point to a big reveal soon.

So here we are, February 3, 2026, and the hype train’s picking up speed. Can Sai Pallavi outshine Deepika? We’ll see. One thing’s clear: Kalki 2898 AD Part 2 just became the hottest ticket in town. Keep your eyes peeled for more on Sai Pallavi’s Kalki journey, Deepika’s exit, and what’s next for Prabhas.