Deepika Padukone will not be attending the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) launch of her upcoming film Project K due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike in the US. The strike began on May 15, 2023, after the union and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) failed to reach a new contract agreement. The strike covers all aspects of film and television production, including promotional events like SDCC. Padukone is one of several actors who have decided to skip SDCC due to the strike, along with Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Scarlett Johansson, and Mark Ruffalo.
The strike has significantly impacted the Hollywood film and television industry, with production on several films and television shows delayed or halted, and many actors forced to cancel promotional appearances. It is unclear how long the strike will last, as the SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP are currently in negotiations, but it is possible that the strike could continue for several more weeks or even months.
Padukone’s decision to skip SDCC is a significant blow to the Project K marketing campaign, which also stars Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan. The SDCC launch was seen as a major opportunity to generate excitement for the film. However, Padukone’s decision to skip the event is a sign of the solidarity among Hollywood actors and a test of the power of the SAG-AFTRA. The union hopes that the strike will force the AMPTP to make concessions.
It remains to be seen how long the strike will last, but Padukone’s decision to skip SDCC is a sign that the union is serious about its demands.