Just days after headlines erupted over her sudden exit from the Kalki 2898 AD sequel, Deepika Padukone has made a statement — not through words, but with a well-timed Instagram post that has fans and social media buzzing. On Saturday, the actress confirmed her role in Shah Rukh Khan’s upcoming action-thriller King, and many believe her post was a subtle yet sharp response to the ongoing chatter about her departure from Kalki.
Deepika shared a poignant close-up of her hand intertwined with Shah Rukh Khan’s, captioned with a heartfelt reflection: “The very first lesson he taught me almost 18 years ago while filming Om Shanti Om was that the experience of making a movie, and the people you make it with, matter far more than its success.” The post, while warm and nostalgic, is being interpreted by fans as a graceful dig at the Kalki makers and the swirling rumors surrounding her exit.
Deepika starting King
byu/ubcsci inBollyBlindsNGossip
Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) quickly lit up with reactions. “She called in the final boss to end all the PR drama,” one user wrote, hailing SRK’s presence as the ultimate flex. Others praised Deepika for responding “with grace and dignity,” calling the move a “sixer” straight out of a power playbook. One fan summed it up: “Not gonna lie, Deepika ate with this post.”
The fallout from Kalki had dominated film gossip for days, with speculation pointing to either creative disagreements or scheduling conflicts. However, Deepika’s composed and strategic announcement has redirected attention toward her future rather than the controversy, effectively silencing much of the noise.
The confirmation of King not only reunites Deepika with Shah Rukh Khan but also sees her working again with director Siddharth Anand after the blockbuster success of Pathaan. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Suhana Khan, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Rani Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Arshad Warsi, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Abhay Verma signaling a high-octane cinematic spectacle.
In addition to King, Deepika is also set to headline Atlee’s next action film opposite Allu Arjun. The project, currently under the working title AA22xA6, is expected to be another big-ticket entertainer.
With her latest move, Deepika Padukone has shown that sometimes, the best way to respond is not through confrontation, but through poise, purpose, and power — and she did it all with one post.