Rumours had been abuzz across entertainment portals and social media platforms that director Ayan Mukerji and his creative team were actively looking to cast Deepika Padukone as Amrita in the next chapter of the Astraverse. Speculation mounted rapidly among fans, with industry insiders suggesting that the actor was set to play a pivotal role opposite the backstory of Dev, expanding her brief silhouette appearance from the original film into a full-fledged lead performance.
The report created significant buzz among film enthusiasts, who anticipated a major casting announcement as the franchise prepares for its next instalment.
Official statement denies project association
Putting an end to the widespread speculation, Deepika Padukone’s official representative has now issued an explicit clarification confirming that the actor has no association with the upcoming sequel.
Addressing the media reports directly, her spokesperson stated, “All recent reports of Deepika Padukone being a part of Brahmastra 2 or associated with the project in any capacity are untrue.” The official statement firmly dismisses all ongoing casting rumours, confirming that the actor is not involved with the film’s cast or production team in any manner.
‘Brahmāstra: Part Two – Dev’ pre-production and timeline
Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, which released globally on September 9, 2022, introduced audiences to a brand-new cinematic universe rooted in Indian mythology and ancient weaponry. The star-studded original featured Ranbir Kapoor as Shiva, Alia Bhatt as Isha, Amitabh Bachchan as Guru, Nagarjuna Akkineni as Anish, and Mouni Roy as Junoon, along with a high-profile cameo appearance by Shah Rukh Khan as Mohan Bhargav.
The sequel, titled Brahmāstra: Part Two – Dev, is currently in its pre-production phase, with director Ayan Mukerji finalising the script and visual effects scope. Principal photography for the second instalment is slated to begin in 2027.
What lies ahead for the Astraverse
While the original film centred on Shiva discovering his relationship with fire and joining an ancient order of guardians to safeguard celestial Astras from dark forces, Part Two – Dev is set to take a much darker, emotional approach. The narrative will dive deep into the origins and complex backstory of Dev, exploring his tragic romance with Amrita, the circumstances surrounding his imprisonment, and the high-stakes modern-day conflict between Shiva and his estranged, powerful father.
