Deepika Padukone Filmed Kalki 2898 AD Climax While Pregnant, Says Saswata: ‘Ranveer Came on Set’ | Exclusive – News18

Kalki 2898 AD has smashed box office records in its first week. This mythological sci-fi epic, directed by Nag Ashwin, stands as the most expensive Indian film to date and features an impressive ensemble cast including Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan and Deepika Padukone. Interestingly, Bengali actor Saswata Chatterjee has also carved out a memorable role amidst these industry giants. The film, set in the distant 29th century, intertwines dystopian themes with Mahabharata influences. Kamal Haasan plays Supreme Yaskin, a despotic ruler overseeing the resource-rich Complex, while Saswata takes on the role of Manas, Yaskin’s military commander and the film’s main villain.

Speaking exclusively to News18 Showsha from Bangladesh, Saswata recalled shooting for the film’s climax, where his character Manas drags Deepika’s pregnant Sumathi by hair after he and his army invades Shambhala. The actor revealed that during the particular scene, Deepika’s actor-husband Ranveer Singh was present on set.

“Deepika is just ever-smiling,” Saswata said. He continued, “There is a scene in the film where I drag her by the hair. It was part of the last leg of the shoot and was shot in Mumbai because Deepika was pregnant by then. Ranveer came on set wearing an ensemble that was orange from top to bottom – tee, pants and shoes! He radiates such an infectious positive energy – he just can’t stand in one place! There was a lot of physical tussle in the scene, so I told Ranveer, ‘Don’t worry, for more physically challenging scenes, there’s a body double.’ He was so polite and humble. He smiled and said, ‘I know, Dada.’”

Saswata, who has worked with Anurag Basu in Jagga Jasoos alongside Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif, will be seen in the filmmaker’s next, ‘Metro… In Dino’. Saswata will be playing husband to Neena Gupta and Pankaj Tripathi plays one of his sons-in-law, while Aditya Roy Kapoor plays another. Recalling a fun moment from the sets, the actor said, “This one time, we were all listening to a scene on sets and Pankaj ji just randomly started to give me a back massage. I was completely taken back and asked him, ‘Yeh kya kar rahe ho?’ He said to me, ‘Aap iss film mein mere sasur hai na. Isiliye thora seva kar raha hoon’!”