Nag Ashwin Shuts Down Rumors, Focuses Solely on Kalki 2 Amid Growing Buzz

As rumors swirl around a supposed comedy project, the Kalki director sets the record straight and locks in on the ambitious sequel’s roadmap.

Rumors are a dime a dozen in the film industry. And this week, one spiraled just a little too far.

Director Nag Ashwin, still basking in the glow of his mega-success Kalki 2898 AD, has clarified he’s not making any side-projects — especially not the kind fans were buzzing about. No small-budget comedy. No new cast. Just Kalki 2, full throttle.

Comedy Chatter? “Absolutely baseless,” says Ashwin

It started with a whisper — one that got louder as some outlets picked it up. A few reports hinted that Nag Ashwin was planning a break from his massive sci-fi saga to make a quirky comedy in the tone of Jathi Ratnalu, which he had produced back in 2021.

But Ashwin didn’t mince words: “Even I don’t know where these rumors are coming out from,” he said bluntly, shutting the door on speculation.

In fact, the director was crystal clear. There’s no “light-hearted side hustle” happening. He’s not picking up another genre or working with newcomers on a makeshift project. It’s all about Kalki 2, and it’s not a part-time affair.

Kalki 2 Isn’t Just a Sequel — It’s a High-Wire Act

Let’s be honest — when your first installment rakes in cash, stuns critics, and pulls off one of the most ambitious visual projects in Indian cinema, the bar doesn’t just rise. It rockets.

That’s exactly the kind of pressure Nag Ashwin admits he’s under now. Kalki 2898 AD wasn’t just a hit. It was a spectacle. Mythology meets dystopia. Gods in space. Prabhas, Deepika, Bachchan — it was massive.

So yeah, expectations are insane for Kalki 2.

Ashwin revealed he’s rewriting parts of the film to ensure the narrative lives up to — or maybe outdoes — what came before. “There’s a lot of pressure to deliver,” he confessed.

The second half? Already partially shot.

The remaining sequences? Slated to begin by the end of this year.

Fans Were Confused — And a Little Concerned

When whispers of a small-scale comedy emerged, fans were… puzzled.

Why would Ashwin, who just delivered one of the most technically complex and visually stunning films in Indian cinema history, take a detour into something so different? Especially when the buzz around Kalki 2 is peaking?

Online chatter mirrored this confusion:

• “Hope this isn’t true, he should focus on Kalki 2!”

• “A Jathi Ratnalu-style film? Now??”

• “Maybe he just needs a creative break?”

It’s understandable. The Kalki universe isn’t just a film series now. It’s a cultural event. A visual epic. People are emotionally — and financially — invested.

Pre-Production Is in Full Swing, Despite Delays

Ashwin isn’t denying that things are a little behind schedule.

He’s taking his time, and he’s being deliberate. That’s not a sign of delay — that’s a sign of how seriously he’s taking the sequel.

Right now, the pre-production phase is moving at what insiders describe as “steady but intense.” Set designs, VFX concepts, and scheduling — it’s all being handled quietly but rigorously.

According to OTTplay, the director is on track to take the film to the floors by the end of 2025.

Here’s a quick look at the timeline so far:

So, Where Did the Comedy Rumor Even Come From?

Good question. Turns out, it might have started from a half-true assumption.

Ashwin had earlier produced Jathi Ratnalu, a wacky comedy that ended up as a surprise hit. Given its cult following and the fact that he’s worked with fresh talent before, some assumed he might revisit that lane.

Producing something doesn’t mean directing it. Especially not when you’re midstream in building an expensive franchise.

And Ashwin himself has now made it clear — not just through public statements, but by staying deeply immersed in the world of Kalki. He’s been spotted regularly with key team members, working late hours at the studio, pouring over designs and CGI drafts.

Kalki Universe Might Expand, But Not Just Yet

Interestingly, industry chatter hints that Ashwin has long-term plans to expand the Kalki universe — possibly into spinoffs or series.

For now, his focus is razor sharp. There are characters to explore, arcs to finish, and a story that needs to meet sky-high expectations.

And if Kalki 2898 AD was about setting the foundation, Kalki 2 is clearly the pay-off.

One thing’s clear — there’s no room for distractions, side quests, or comic diversions.