Deepika Padukone has been in the news lately after her exit from ‘Spirit’ and ‘Kalki 2’. Just after the makers of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ announced that she’s no longer a part of the movie, Deepika announced that she’s shooting for Shah Rukh Khan’s King. The actress is also a part of Atlee’s action entertainer with Allu Arjun, currently being referred to as ‘AA22xA6’. While she is already filming with SRK, recent chatter suggested that her role in Atlee’s film had been trimmed down, reportedly due to her preference for shorter work hours. However, a new update has put those rumours to rest. According to a report by Mid-Day, Deepika will soon begin shooting with Allu Arjun for the project, and her role remains exactly as originally conceived. A source told the publication, “There is no truth to rumours that Deepika’s screen time has been reduced. Her role has not changed from what she was offered when she came on board in June. She has a fierce part, which is essential to the first and second acts of the narrative.” As per the report, Deepika has blocked her calendar from late October through December-end for the shoot. The initial schedule will highlight the foundation of her character, followed by high-octane action sequences in November. By December, the production is expected to shift to the UAE, “where Allu Arjun and Deepika will film a crucial mid-film twist and emotional scenes.” The buzz around her supposed reduced role surfaced shortly after she exited Kalki 2. Industry talk suggested that the actress had asked for a 25 percent hike in her fee, in addition to a seven-hour shift cap — terms the makers were unwilling to accept despite attempts at negotiation. Earlier this year, Deepika also walked away from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, reportedly for similar reasons. Since becoming a mother, speculation around her request for shorter working hours has frequently made headlines. Still, her commitment to Atlee’s film appears unchanged. Interestingly, AA22xA6 brings together Atlee and Allu Arjun for the first time. Initially rumoured to be a two-hero story, the project has now been clarified by Allu Arjun’s team as featuring him in dual roles — a detail that adds even more intrigue to the big-ticket entertainer.
