Kalki 2898 AD: 2024 Indian epic science-fiction dystopian film

Kalki 2898 AD : Movie Name
Directed by: Nag Ashwin
Starring: Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Disha Patani, Rajendra Prasad, Pasupathy, Anna Ben
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Running Time: 181 Minutes
Release Date: 27 June, 2024
Rating:
Production Companies: Vyjayanthi Movies
Budget: ₹600 crore

A modern-day avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who is believed to have descended to earth to protect the world from evil forces.

Kalki 2898 AD: Overview

Kalki 2898 AD is an upcoming 2024 Indian epic science-fiction dystopian film, co-written and directed by Nag Ashwin. Produced by C. Aswani Dutt of Vyjayanthi Movies, it was shot simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi languages. Inspired by Hindu mythology, the film is set in a post-apocalyptic world in 2898 AD. It stars Prabhas in the lead role alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani.

First announced in February 2020, Kalki’s production faced a year’s delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming finally began in July 2021 in a futuristic set at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, and occurred sporadically in several legs over the next three years before wrapping in March 2024. Made on a ₹600 crore (US$75 million) production budget, Kalki is the most expensive Indian film ever. Its music is scored by Santhosh Narayanan, with cinematography by Djordje Stojiljkovic, production design by Nitin Zihani Choudhary and editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao.

Movie Trailer:

Introducing Ashwatthama

Bujji Hindi Teaser

Movie Review:

Many of us cinephiles have always believed that India’s answer to Hollywood’s ‘Avengers’ and Marvel Cinematic Universe lies in our layered and surrealistic mythology. Telugu director Nag Ashwin has not only managed to dig deep into our mythical tales like the much-anticipated 10th avatar of Vishnu, Kalki, but even married those fantastical tales with sci-fi and a dystopian world. On paper, this is exciting as hell. In execution, this alchemy of two disparate realms, one lying in our ancient past and one envisaged centuries from now, calls for some ingenuity. And loads of inspiration, which unsurprisingly comes as much from the epic ‘Mahabharata’ as from Hollywood movies.

The complex where the so-called Supreme Yaskin and his minions live and have monopolised all resources has a ring of ‘Hunger Games’. Many locales of Kashinagri, where there is no water, Ganga has dried up and people are fighting for a half-eaten apple remind one of the majestic ‘Dune’. Supreme, though he appears rather late in the film, one could say has the bleeding heart for environment, much like Thanos of ‘Avengers’. Only his bid to amass power has a more sinister tone and is called Project K, which is what the film was initially titled.

Fertile girls are picked up, impregnated and before they can deliver the baby, serum is extracted and delivered to the Supreme, who is hanging on an artificial support system. Amid these women held in captivity is our lovely Deepika Padukone (suitably understated with just the right degree of vulnerability), who has failed the fertility test, and yet is 150 days’ pregnant. The trailers have already told you who she is carrying….

At one level, the conflict between the outside world and those ensconced within the complex is typical good versus evil, just like all superhero tales. Still, the story has power and would have gained more impact if it had not given in to the perils that come with a superstar-driven tent-pole film. So, as Prabhas is introduced as Bhairava early on, he must get enough screen time to flex his muscles and spew a few wisecracks. Supposedly funny, but call it lost in translation, or lack of imagination on the writers’ part, not all one-liners, especially his banter with his AI partner, tickle our funny bone.

Yes, this is a futuristic era where even a bounty hunter with no money (here, it is units) has state-of-the-art technology at his disposal. Before we raise our eyebrows, we are told Bhairava managed to assemble it all from scraps in a junkyard. His mission in life is to get inside the complex. Much time is frittered away in projecting its hero via fights and a romantic twist (Disha Patani as Roxie). But things truly enliven when the focus shifts to its other hero, yes, Amitabh Bachchan. That famous baritone voice, that imposing presence, the ‘angry giant man’ is everything we have all loved in him and a lot more. Playing an action hero at 81…. unbelievable, but there is no incongruity in his superhuman qualities. After all, he is the indestructible Ashwatthama, son of Guru Dronacharya, condemned to live forever. And is Big B phenomenal… if many of his fight sequences with Prabhas are the high point, so is his focused devotion to protect the pregnant mother.

While the first half meanders unnecessarily, there is a touristy visit inside the complex where it seems all good things of life and nature have been preserved. The film begins to find traction in the second half. A classic case of too late. But in the last 40 minutes or so, it almost explodes into a never- seen-before spectacle in Indian cinema. The climatic high is stunningly engaging and evocative too. One wonders what exactly was Ashwin doing or thinking before executing this masterful display of special effects, fight sequences and even those delectable plot twists.

Indeed, the atmospherics, thanks to cinematographer Djordje Stojiljkovic and production design by Nitin Zihani Choudhary, remain consistent throughout the film. Juxtaposition of the two fabled worlds is not in the least bit jarring. And the two big reveals in the end, one just like the MCU movies soon after the credits roll, keep us wanting for more.

‘Kalki 2898 AD’ mints Rs 298.5 crore globally in two days

On the opening day, the movie earned Rs 191.5 in gross box office collection

Nag Ashwin’s 3D spectacle “Kalki 2898 AD” has minted Rs 298.5 crore in two days at the global box office, the makers said on Friday.

Touted as a marriage of Hindu epic Mahabharata and science fiction, the big-budget film is produced by Vyjayanthi Movies and was released on Thursday in six languages: Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and English.

It features a star cast led by Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan, along with Disha Patani, Saswata Chatterjee and Shobhana.

On the opening day, the movie earned Rs 191.5 in gross box office collection (GBOC) and collected Rs 107 crore on Friday.

“The love is pouring in from all corners of the world! #Kalki2898AD #EpicBlockbusterKalki,” Vyjayanthi Movies posted on its official X page along with a poster stating that “Kalki 2898 AD” earned Rs 298.5 crore in two days.

Previously titled “Project K”, it is arguably the most expensive feature film in Indian cinema history at a reported Rs 600 crore.

Large crowds were seen outside theatres in several cities, including Hyderabad and Mumbai. And the initial reviews were favourable.

The film has also received a huge shout from many celebrities, including megastar Rajinikanth, who called “Kalki 2898 AD” an “epic movie”.

“Watched Kalki. WOW! What an epic movie! Director @nagashwin7 has taken Indian Cinema to a different level. Hearty congratulations to my dear friend @AswiniDutt @SrBachchan @PrabhasRaju @ikamalhaasan @deepikapadukone and the team of #Kalki2898AD. Eagerly awaiting Part2. God Bless,” Rajinikanth posted.