Deepika Padukone Opts Out of The White Lotus, Declines to Audition for Emmy-Winning Series: Report

Mumbai, Feb 27 : Speculation had been rife that Deepika Padukone would join the cast of The White Lotus, the Emmy Award winning black comedy created by Mike White. The buzz suggested the project could mark her return to Hollywood after her debut in xXx: Return of Xander Cage alongside Vin Diesel. However, recent reports indicate that she is no longer in consideration for the series.

According to industry sources cited by Variety India, the sticking point was the show’s mandatory audition process. While the makers were reportedly keen to test actors before finalizing casting, Padukone is said to have declined to audition, leading to the opportunity being passed.

This is not the first time discussions between the actress and the show’s team have surfaced. During the development of the third season, she was reportedly approached but could not proceed due to her pregnancy. With a fourth season now in the works, talks were revisited, though they again did not materialize.

Over the past year, Padukone has also stepped away from other high-profile projects. She exited Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, and is no longer part of the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, helmed by Nag Ashwin. Reports suggested that scheduling preferences, remuneration terms, and profit-sharing discussions played a role in those developments.

Addressing her approach to career choices in a recent interview, Padukone emphasized clarity and authenticity in decision making, stating that financial considerations alone do not determine her selections. She noted that while perspectives evolve with time, her current choices align with what feels honest to her.

Looking ahead, she will next appear in King, directed by Siddharth Anand and co-starring Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan and Suhana Khan. The film is scheduled for release in December 2026. She is also collaborating with director Atlee on an upcoming project featuring Allu Arjun.