Here is everything we know about the February 2026 shoot schedule.
The Schedule: Kamal Haasan Starts First 🎬
Director Nag Ashwin is not waiting for anyone.
Start Date: Filming is reportedly scheduled to begin as early as February 2, 2026.
The Plan: The first leg of the shoot will focus entirely on Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan). The team plans to wrap up his complex, VFX-heavy portions first at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad.
Prabhas' Entry: The "Bhairava" himself, Prabhas, is expected to join the sets in the second week of February or March, as he is currently juggling the shoot of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit.
The Shocker: Is Deepika Out? 😲
The biggest talking point this week isn't the start date—it's the cast.
The Rumour: Strong industry buzz (and some reports claiming "official confirmation") suggests that Deepika Padukone (who played SUM-80/Sumathi) might not be part of the sequel.
The Reason: While reasons range from "creative differences" to scheduling conflicts with her other projects (like King with SRK), the makers are reportedly on the hunt for a new face or have altered the script to focus more on Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan) and Karna (Prabhas).
Status: Fans are anxiously waiting for a final clarification from the production house.
Release Date Targets 🗓️
While the camera starts rolling now, do not expect the movie soon.
Target: The team is eyeing a massive Late 2026 or Early 2027 release, given the immense VFX work required to bring the "Complex" and the war sequences to life.
SantaBanta Verdict: Kalki 2 without Deepika? It sounds risky, but with Kamal Haasan promising a "dangerous" Yaskin and Prabhas in full "Karna" mode, the hype is still unmatched. Let the games begin!
