(Image source from: Instagram.com/deepikapadukone)

Deepika Padukone will not make an appearance in the next season of The White Lotus. According to a report from Variety India, the actress was contacted by the producers for the fourth season and asked to audition. However, she declined to do so. “Auditions are a necessary part of the casting process for The White Lotus. The producers were eager to hold auditions with actors before bringing them onto the project. Deepika Padukone was not interested in auditioning, which is why she had to pass on the chance to be in The White Lotus,” a source told the entertainment news site. It has been reported that the producers of The White Lotus wanted Deepika to be part of the show. They had also reached out to her for the third season. However, Deepika was pregnant at that time and declined the role. If she had been confirmed for The White Lotus 4, it would have marked her return to Hollywood. She first appeared in Hollywood with xXx: Return of Xander Cage in 2017, working alongside Vin Diesel, Donnie Yen, Kris Wu, Ruby Rose, Tony Jaa, Nina Dobrev, and Toni Collette among others.

Last year, the creators of Kalki 2 announced that Deepika would not be in the sequel. The statement suggested that Deepika is no longer involved in the project because a film like Kalki “requires dedication. ” “This is to officially confirm that @deepikapadukone will not be in the upcoming sequel of Kalki2898AD. After careful thought, we have decided to go our separate ways. Even after a long process in making the first film, we could not establish a partnership. A movie like @Kalki2898AD deserves that level of commitment and much more. We wish her success in her future projects,” the statement said. Previously, Sandeep Reddy Vanga also decided to remove the actress from Spirit. Reports claim that her requests, including working only eight hours a day, a sizable salary, and a share of the film's earnings, did not align with director Vanga’s expectations. Deepika, who is a new mother, is said to be trying to manage her work and personal life by cutting down her working hours. After Deepika’s departure, it was announced that Triptii Dimri will take on a role in the film directed by Vanga.