The anticipation for “Kalki 2898 AD,” one of the most eagerly awaited movies of 2024, reaches a fever pitch. With an ensemble cast featuring the likes of Deepika Padukone, Prabhas, and Amitabh Bachchan, the film promises to be an engaging cinematic ride through action, mythology, and sci-fi wonders.
A still from Kalki 2898 AD
Movie: Kalki 2898 AD U/A: Action Director: Nag Ashwin Cast: Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan Rating: 3/5
While Amitabh Bachchan’s presence on screen is limited to brief yet impactful moments, his portrayal of an eight-feet tall Ashwatthama, aged over 6,000 years, is nothing short of awe-inspiring. This character is based on our understanding of the Mahabharat, where Ashwatthama is portrayed as an immortal figure, albeit appearing almost mummified.
The film does not require the audience to have deep knowledge of ancient Indian texts to know that Kalki is the anticipated savior avatar of Lord Vishnu. Krishna, another avatar, fought alongside the Pandavas against the Kauravas, which included Ashwatthama, during the battle of Kurukshetra.
The narrative of the film begins with the Mahabharat era, showcasing a younger version of Bachchan’s character. This de-aged version made many wonder if it was an AI-generated image or simply a lookalike actor. The connection between the past and the film’s futuristic setting is beautifully depicted.
The hero of the film, Bhairava, is introduced many millennia later, embodying a sense of gentle buffoonery akin to Deadpool’s deadpan humor. Despite the context of mythology and history, Bhairava’s character remains an enigma, leaving the audience puzzled until the very end of this futuristic, superhero meets dystopian, sci-fi alternate reality.
From the audience’s perspective, what matters most is Bhairava’s portrayal by actor Prabhas. Known for his “Rebel Star” status, Prabhas brings immeasurable superpowers to his character, even making a self-referential nod to his fan base in the theatre. His introduction includes an action sequence set to a track that transitions from devotional, Punjabi hip-hop to Western jazz and classical.
Initially, there was some apprehension about Prabhas’s performance due to his prior films post-Baahubali. However, “Kalki 2898 AD” surpasses his past titles, namely Radhe Shyam, Adipurush, Saaho, and Salaar. Notably, the film defies the typical slump that comes with long durations, with its second half surpassing the first.
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It’s not to say that Prabhas’s past films didn’t draw crowds. They certainly did, which explains the substantial investment in CGI for this movie. Hollywood can easily afford such grandiosity due to their global market, but for an Indian movie to match such a scale, it must appeal across regions, earning the title of a ‘pan-India picture.’
Director Nag Ashwin, at the young age of 38, aims high with this film, often being compared to big names like SS Rajamouli and Ram Gopal Varma. Both directors make cameo appearances in the film, adding to its pan-India casting appeal. Hindi cinema’s Deepika Padukone plays the female lead, and Disha Patani and Dulquer Salmaan from different regional backgrounds round out the diverse ensemble.
The villain receiving the longest screen time is Saswata Chatterjee, portraying Commander Manas, the chief consigliore to Kamal Haasan’s “Supreme,” who is a half-naked fakir resembling Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy. Despite Haasan’s limited screen time, his character commands a parallel, elite universe called Complex that everyone in the last surviving city, Kashi, aspires to enter—akin to the gated communities of Gurgaon on a much grander scale.
In this apocalyptic setting, the unit of currency is ‘Unit,’ with the world filled with futuristic gadgets and dusty exteriors reminiscent of visual cues from Dune, Mad Max, Handmaid’s Tale, Transformers, and even a bit of Wakanda.
As with many grand visuals, references and inspirations from various arts abound. However, “Kalki 2898 AD” manages to stand on its own, burdened though it may be by CGI expectations. Unlike movies such as Ayan Mukerji’s Brahmastra or Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan, which suffered due to overly complex subplots or lack of accessible source material, “Kalki 2898 AD” keeps the storyline straightforward, allowing the spectacle to take center stage.
The simplicity of the narrative allows viewers to immerse themselves in the visual feast without feeling overwhelmed. Despite technical hiccups on the first day, the film’s sheer scale promises the potential for sequels, and sets the stage with several memorable moments.
In conclusion, “Kalki 2898 AD” invites audiences to enjoy a spectacular sci-fi odyssey, with promises of even bigger things to come. The sequel is eagerly awaited, and you, like many others, will likely be looking forward to the continuation of this epic journey.
