Deepika Padukone to Skip Project K Launch at San Diego Comic-Con Due to SAG-AFTRA Strike

Bollywood's leading lady Deepika Padukone might miss the highly anticipated launch of her upcoming mega-budget film, Project K, at the prestigious San Diego Comic-Con.

Maheswara Rao Nadella | Published On: Jul, 19, 2023 | 04:40 PM

Deepika Padukone to Skip Project K Launch at San Diego Comic-Con Due to SAG-AFTRA Strike

In a surprising turn of events, Bollywood’s leading lady Deepika Padukone might miss the highly anticipated launch of her upcoming mega-budget film, Project K, at the prestigious San Diego Comic-Con. The reason behind her potential absence is the ongoing strike by Hollywood actors under the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), which began on July 14.

Project K, one of the most awaited ventures in Indian cinema, was scheduled to be unveiled at the San Diego Comic-Con on July 10, making it the first-ever Indian movie to be launched at the renowned event. However, with the strike in effect, Deepika Padukone, who is a member of SAG-AFTRA, is expected to adhere to the union’s guidelines for actors, which includes abstaining from promotional and publicity services.

An industry insider, quoted by the news agency PTI, revealed, “With the SAG-AFTRA strike underway, the union has specified that actors cannot provide promotional or publicity services. That extends to appearances at conventions, such as the San Diego Comic-Con. Accordingly, as a member of SAG-AFTRA and in line with their membership regulations, Deepika Padukone will not be attending.”

The SAG-AFTRA strike involves more than 160,000 members, including actors, video game performers, radio presenters, models, and YouTube influencers. The union has issued guidelines for its members during the strike, and one of the key rules prohibits participating in tours to promote films, attending festivals, premieres, or award shows.

Despite the potential absence of Deepika Padukone at the San Diego Comic-Con, the excitement surrounding Project K remains undeterred. The film, boasting a stellar ensemble cast including Kamal Haasan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Disha Patani in pivotal roles, is set to take the audience on an extraordinary cinematic journey. On July 20, co-stars Prabhas and Kamal Haasan will reveal the film’s official title, trailer, and release date, adding to the anticipation among fans and industry enthusiasts.

As movie enthusiasts eagerly await the grand revelation of Project K, the impact of the SAG-AFTRA strike on the global entertainment industry continues to be a matter of discussion and concern. Nevertheless, the filmmakers and stars of Project K are determined to make the most of the event and deliver an unforgettable experience for their audience.

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