by Trailerman Sam
.Kalki 2898 AD is a new Indian Telugu science fiction epic directed by Nag Ashwin and produced by Vyjayanthi Movies. It stars Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani.
Inspired by Hindu scriptures, it’s the first instalment of a planned Kalki Cinematic Universe. Set in a post-apocalyptic world in the year 2898 AD, the film follows a select group of characters who are on a mission to save a lab subject: SUM-80’s unborn child, Kalki.
Made on a 600-crore (RM336 million) production budget, it’s the most expensive Indian film ever made. The film has grossed over 1,100 crore (RM616 million) worldwide in its over 50 days run at the box office.
In the Puranas (a genre of ancient texts that form a significant part of Hindu literature and tradition), Kalki is depicted as the avatar who will rejuvenate existence by ending the darkest period of adharma (unrighteousness) and restoring dharma (righteousness).
He is also described as riding a white horse named Devadatta and wielding a fiery sword. The portrayal of Kalki varies across different Puranas, and his narrative is also found in other traditions, including the Kalachakra-Tantra of Tibetan Buddhism and Sikh texts.
Kalki 2898 AD, which the makers claim has already done business worth over 1,000 crores (RM560 million), is also streaming on OTT (over the top) platforms. There are some good news and bad news.
The good news is that you’ve a choice of watching it in Tamil and Hindi, and with subtitles if you choose streaming. The bad news is that watching it in Telugu in the cinemas is much better: you’ll get the mesmerising sound and visual effects compared to watching it at home.
I was one of many who had either skipped the first one hour and 20 minutes or fast-forwarded through this three-hour movie. I couldn’t swallow the obsession of a hero’s entry. Those who have read the Mahabharata and know that Kalki is a good story will understand the need for the star to be humongous.
But the build-up was in such bad taste. It was definitely not a fairy tale that you can make fun of or showing no seriousness for the sake wanting the hero’s entry to be spectacular and yet infused with lame comedy.
The VFX (visual effects) though was not a total disappointment. Thumbs up for Djordje Stojiljkovic, a Serbian for his lustrous cinematography that depicted spectacular sequences of large structures, mid-air action and robotic characters that added excitement to the sci-fi drama. Though not a 100 percent perfect visual spectacle, Kalki is equipped with world-class VFX that doesn’t disappoint.
If the first half of the movie was much contaminated with puff ups, dull dialogues that might make you cringe, poorly choreographed action scenes and unnecessary subplots, the second part is another kettle of fish. It gets better by the minute towards an excellent climax.
The furnishings used throughout the movie looked rather drab like having spun from a Hollywood movie, so they were not inspirational. There was a direct copy from the Star Wars’ emperor Palpatine in the evil character of The Supreme Leader played by none other than Kamal Hassan.
Since it was the first attempt by Nag Ashwin, he could perhaps improve the sequel significantly. He should focus on the Mahabharata and adapt it as faithfully as possible. The sci-fi elements of the movie were just so-so.
Even though the story line of this movie takes up three hours, it could have been made better for an overall entertaining movie experience. The music and “over-action” of Prabhas in the first part of the film made me feel that Amitabh Bachchan stole the show for his splendid acting.
As the film comes to an end, the fight between Awashthama (Amitabh Bachcan) and Bhairava (Prabhas) for the custody of Sumathi, who is revealed as the mother of Kalki, was spectacular. It’s here the walking stick of Awashthama is revealed as a dominant weapon, Vijaya Dhanush, that belonged to his friend Karna, a warrior from the Kurukshetra War. But that walking stick only answers to Bhairava. Could it be because he might be a transmigration soul of Karna?
Was it a mere coincidence that Yaskin (Kamal Hassan) gets hold of a tiny drop of serum extracted from Sumathi’s foetus on himself, partially gaining the power of the unborn Kalki and becoming a youthful superhuman with four magical limbs? What about picking up Arjuna’s bow, Gandiva, and pledging to personally capture Sumathi and her child to reshape the world?
Was it all a trap set by Kalki to lure Yaskin out of his stronghold to bringing the mighty weapon of Arjuna’s Gandiva?
We just have to wait for the sequel, which is likely to be out in theatres only in 2027. (Holy cow, that’s another two more years to go, hope I will be still around to catch it!).
Just for whispers, it’s predicted that Kalki will only surface somewhere in the year 5550 AD. That’s a long, long time to go, folks.