Kalki 2898AD: Amitabh intese as immortal Ashwatthama

Kalki 2898ad: Amitabh intese as immortal Ashwatthama. Excitement is reaching a fever pitch among fans as anticipation mounts for Nag Ashwin’s groundbreaking sci-fi dystopian masterpiece, "Kalki 2898 AD," boasting a stellar cast including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani in pivotal roles. The unveiling of Amitabh Bachchan’s character marks a monumental moment on the road to the release of what is undoubtedly the most eagerly awaited Indian film of the year.

The tantalizing 21-second teaser begins with Bachchan, clad in earthy hues, immersed in prayer within the depths of a cave, his reverence directed towards a Shiva linga. Against a backdrop of tranquil music, the voice of a child pierces the silence, questioning him, “Can you not die? Are you divine? Who are you?”

As suspense thickens, Bachchan’s commanding voice resonates, “Since time immemorial, I have awaited the advent of the Avatar. I am the progeny of Guru Drona. I am Ashwatthama,” he proclaims with unwavering resolve.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) earlier, Bachchan expressed, “It has been a journey unlike any other. The ingenuity to conceive such a creation, its execution, the immersion in modern technology, and most importantly, the camaraderie with colleagues of stellar stature.”

The grand reveal unfolded on Star Sports just before the commencement of Sunday evening’s IPL 2024 clash between Punjab Kings and Gujarat Titans. Prior to this, the production team had teased the event with an announcement poster, depicting Bachchan shrouded in mystery, adorned in cloth and mask, seated within a temple-like setting.

Months earlier, Ashwin had teased intriguing details about the epic science-fiction saga, promising "Kalki 2898 AD" to be a breathtaking visual extravaganza. Speaking at the Synapse 2024 event in Gurgaon, Ashwin remarked, “I only wish we had more technological advancements at our disposal during preproduction, three or four years ago. We are crafting this new universe... I'm just looking at this image on the screen right now, envisioning the myriad worlds we are endeavoring to create, collaborating with numerous concept artists, providing guidance in a personal, one-on-one manner, and constructing this expansive realm.”

Bankrolled by C Aswani Dutt under the esteemed banner of Vyjayanthi Movies, the musical symphony of "Kalki" is orchestrated by the maestro Santhosh Narayanan. Despite the initial announcement in January proclaiming a global release on May 9, 2024, subsequent updates have been scarce, leaving fans on tenterhooks awaiting further developments.