Nag Ashwin On Kalki 2898 AD Comparisons With Dune

Nag Ashwin on Kalki 2898 Ad comparisons with Dune. Nag Ashwin’s highly anticipated sci-fi venture, "Kalki 2898 Ad," featuring a star-studded ensemble including Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan, has been generating significant buzz in the film industry. However, despite the film's immense anticipation, its promotional material has not been immune to criticism and comparisons, particularly with Denis Villeneuve’s "Dune," starring Tom Holland and Zendaya.

During the VFX Summit in Hyderabad, Nag Ashwin addressed these comparisons when a student pointed out the similarities between "Project K" (the film's working title) and "Dune," particularly in terms of theme and artwork. Nag humorously replied, “It’s because of the sand. They noticed the film has sand in it, no? Basically, whenever there’s sand, it’ll look like Dune,” highlighting the playful nature of the comparison.

The recent release of a new poster for "Kalki 2898 Ad," announcing its release date on June 27, led to further comparisons, with fans noting similarities between Deepika Padukone's look in the poster and Zendaya's appearance in "Dune." One fan even humorously referred to it as the "Zendayafication of Deepika in Kalki poster," highlighting the resemblance between the two actresses' characters.

In a previous discussion at the Synapse 2024 event in Gurgaon, Nag Ashwin had shed light on the film's inspiration, revealing that it starts with the Mahabharat era and progresses to the year 2898 AD, spanning a vast 6000-year timeline. He emphasized the challenge of creating futuristic worlds while maintaining an Indian aesthetic, aiming to avoid the typical sci-fi look of films like "Blade Runner," thus ensuring a unique and culturally resonant visual experience for audiences.