“Kalki 2898 A.D.” is an epic, science-fiction film directed by Nag Ashwin. The film is inspired by Indian mythology and Hindu scriptures and is touted as the most expensive film in Indian cinema, with a budget of ₹600 crore. The film stars superstars like Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani. “Kalki 2898 A.D.” is set in a futuristic world, depicting the time of 2898 A.D., where the descent of ‘Kalki’ is expected under a divine prophecy in a dystopian society. The story of the film revolves around Ashwatthama and his journey on a mission to save Kalki’s mother and usher in a new era. Nag Ashwin has taken the audience into a new and exciting world with his brilliant screenplay and visual combination. The film’s brilliant VFX, grand sets and amazing action sequences have made it an unforgettable experience for the audience.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Kalki 2898 AD |
| Release Date | June 27, 2024 |
| Language | Telugu |
| Director | Nag Ashwin |
| Writer | Nag Ashwin, Rutham Samar (Additional Screenplay) |
| Producers | C. Aswini Dutt |
| Cast | Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Disha Patani |
| Cinematography | Djordje Stojiljkovic |
| Editor | Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao |
| Music | Santhosh Narayanan |
| Production Company | Vyjayanthi Movies |
| Budget | ₹600 crore |
| Box Office | ₹1,027 – 1,200 crore |
| Running Time | 181 minutes |
| Genre | Epic Mythological Science-Fiction |
| Format | Standard, IMAX, 3D, 4DX |
| Country | India |
| Special Features | VFX, Stunning Action Sequences, Dystopian Future, Hindu Mythology Elements |
Kalki 2898 AD Story
Kalki 2898 AD is an epic science-fiction film set in the dystopian future of 2898 AD. The film is directed and co-written by Nag Ashwin, and stars Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani. The film is inspired by Hindu scriptures and is made as the first installment of the Kalki Cinematic Universe.
The story begins after the Kurukshetra War, when Ashvatthama tries to kill Uttara’s unborn child. For this, Lord Shri Krishna curses him and he becomes immortal, and is tasked with protecting Kalki, the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The film is set in 2898 AD, where a ruler, Yaskin, is a 200-year-old dictator who controls his empire. He is making pregnant women take a secret serum under “Project K”, but none of the pregnant women and babies survive.
The main character of the story is Raia, a girl disguised as a boy who is rescued from Yaskin’s “Project K” with the help of Shambhalan rebels. She meets Ashvatthama, who learns that Kalki’s mother is pregnant after getting his Divya Ratna. Following this, they embark on a journey to rescue her and join the Shambhalan rebels. Meanwhile, the film has interesting action sequences, visual effects, and plenty of twists that keep the audience enthralled.
The technical side of the film is also strong, with superb cinematography, VFX, and music by Santhosh Narayanan that enhances the visuals. The film is fast-paced, and despite its length, it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats until the very end.
Movie Review
Kalki 2898 AD has proved to be a milestone for Indian cinema, especially in terms of cinematography and special effects, which match the quality of Hollywood. This film has definitely raised the standards for Indian films in the future. The star cast of the film is also amazing! Stars like Shobhana, Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur, Vijay Deverakonda, Anna Ben, Disha Patani appear in the film, which is a surprise for the audience.
It is surprising to see that Bollywood, with so many talented actors, directors and huge financial resources, still failed to produce such a great cinema, while the South once again proved that it is ahead. However, the first half of the film is relatively normal. It develops the characters and introduces the worlds of Complex and Shambhala. Prabhas is good in his role as always, although he does not impress like “Baahubali”, but the same vibes are felt in between. The actor who shines the most in the film is Amitabh Bachchan. His role, as Ashwatthama, is perfect. Even at this age, he is a tough opponent for other actors who are at their peak. Nag Ashwin made the right decision by casting him. Amitabh Bachchan looks like he might play Bhishma Pitamah in the future in Mahabharata. Deepika Padukone has done a great job in her role as a woman in distress. Kamal Haasan is flawless in his role and has some cosmic powers in his role. Disha Patani’s role is very underrated, and if she was not there, it would not have made much difference to the film.
In the second half, the film is more exciting than the first. The pace of the film increases and the fight choreography between Prabhas and Amitabh is superb! The Shambhala scene is extremely impressive, and reminds one of ‘Avatar’. The real identities of the characters are revealed at the end of the film, and their connection to the story, their world, and Mahabharata deepens.
Nag Ashwin is unique in the way he blends modern technology with the ancient Mahabharata. The concept of the film gives a completely Hollywood feel. The story is similar to “Mad Max”, the entry into Shambhala is somewhat similar to the train journey in “Harry Potter”, and the influence of films like “Dune”, “Star Wars” and “Avatar” is also felt. A flashback scene between Arjuna and Karna during the war really deserves a standing ovation. I can only imagine how great Nag Ashwin would be if he were to remake the Mahabharata in its entirety.
Overall, the film loses some points due to its long duration, slow start, and some unnecessary characters and scenes, but it picks up tremendous pace in the second half and gives a brilliant depiction of the great war and the technical aspects. This is a concept that has never been seen before in Indian cinema. The CGI of the film is brilliant, and one must salute the hard work of the director and the team for expanding the boundaries of Indian cinema. Watching this movie in the theatre will be an unforgettable experience!
Movie Trailer
Conclusion
Kalki 2898 AD is a film that adds a new chapter to Indian cinema, presenting Hollywood level quality in cinematography, special effects and technical aspects. Although the first half of the film is a bit slow and ordinary, the second half completely captivates the audience. The acting, especially the performances of Amitabh Bachchan and Prabhas, is excellent, while director Nag Ashwin has wonderfully mixed the Mahabharata and modern science fiction. Apart from the length of the film and some unnecessary scenes, it is a great cinematic experience, which must be watched in the theater.