"Kalki 2898 AD," the highly anticipated futuristic sci-fi thriller, has been captivating movie lovers ever since its announcement. With Pan-India star Prabhas in the lead role and directed by Nag Ashwin, whose film "Mahanati" won the National Award, expectations have soared. The excitement reached new heights when the makers brought in legends like Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan, alongside popular actresses Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani.
The film garnered global attention by becoming the first Indian film to be featured at the prestigious Comic-Con festival in San Diego. As it nears its release, the pre-sales have already set sensational records. Now, let's see the impact Prabhas, as Kalki, has made on movie lovers.
Kalki 2898 AD revoles around people in the three different worlds, Complex and outside Complex in the city of Kashi and another place Shambala. What are the experiences of the people in this world and what is their connection to the happenings in Mahabharat form the rest of the narration.
The people of Kashi suffer under the oppressive rule of Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan), who treats individuals as mere units, confining them inside and outside a complex for a mysterious purpose. Yaskin is working on Project K, and his aides discover that Sum-80 (Deepika Padukone) possesses all the suitable features needed for the project.
However, they encounter difficulties, and this is where Bhairava (Prabhas) steps in. Known for doing anything for a bounty, Bhairava infiltrates the complex with the help of his futuristic car, Bujji. To uncover the true nature of Project K, the significance of Sum-80's (Deepika Padukone) features, and the role Bhairava plays, as well as the connection of Ashwathamma (Amitabh Bachchan) from the Mahabharata to the story, audiences will need to watch the film.
The story of "Kalki 2898 AD," penned by Nag Ashwin, is a fascinating blend of futuristic elements and Hindu scriptures. Ashwin begins the narration in an intriguing and captivating manner, referencing and graphically depicting events from the Mahabharata before transitioning to the year 2898 AD and its futuristic world. With the support of Vyjayanthi Movies, Ashwin dared to dream on the scale of Hollywood films, presenting a stunning vision.
He deftly combines sci-fi and mythological elements while providing detailed character development to avoid undue confusion. However, this detailed narration contributes to a slow pace in the first half, and with Prabhas taking a backseat for much of this time, it may not appeal to all viewers. Everything changes in the lead-up to the interval, with the second half becoming more racy and action-packed, and everything falling into place.
The portrayal of characters like Ashwathamma, Karna, and Arjuna will blow audiences' minds. The visual extravaganza is a treat to watch, adding significant value to the screenplay. While the script and screenplay could have been tighter for a greater impact, the film's intense action is somewhat offset by a lack of deep emotional connections to resonate with the audience.
The music by Santosh Narayanan is rather ordinary, with the songs often acting as speed breakers in the narrative. One might feel that the film could have done without them. However, Narayanan's background score significantly elevates the scenes, providing an intense and impactful atmosphere. The cinematography by Djordje Stojiljkovic is extravagant, with captivating visuals, VFX, and CGI that enhance the film's futuristic setting.
The editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao could have been much better. Many scenes, especially in the first half, did not add value to the narration and could have been trimmed or removed entirely. The dialogues are well-written, adding depth to the characters and story. The production values of Vyjayanthi Movies are top-notch, contributing to the film's overall high quality.
Prabhas, with his towering personality, breathed life into the story. He showcased a range of emotions according to his role, taking a backseat at times to allow the narrative to develop through other characters. In the first half, Prabhas played an entertaining part, interacting with his futuristic car Bujji, voiced by Keerthy Suresh. As the story progressed, he took over with intense action scenes during the interval block and throughout the second half. The scenes involving Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan deliver goosebumps to movie lovers and his fans. The climax and pre-climax are particularly gripping, filled with intense action elements.
Amitabh Bachchan powered the film to another level with his stunning screen presence, stealing the show from his entry to the climax. His mannerisms and body language made a powerful impact, captivating the audience. Deepika Padukone is impressive in the role of SUM-80, portraying a pregnant woman in pain to perfection, and she shines in a deglamorized role.
Universal Star Kamal Haasan captured everyone's imagination with his performance. Despite his minimal screen presence, the makeup and prosthetics he used left the audience in awe. In the climax, he surprises everyone, setting the tone for the second part. Disha Patani dazzled in the role of Roxie, while Rajendra Prasad, Shobhana, Swastha Chatterjee, Brahmanandam, Pasupathy, Anna Ben, and Malavika Nair delivered strong performances, carrying the film forward. The cameos featuring Rajamouli, Vijay Deverakonda, Ram Gopal Varma, Dulquer Salmaan, and others add an exciting element to the film, driving the audience wild.
Altogether, Kalki 2898 AD is a mythological sci fi visual extravaganza.Nag Ashwin envisioned transforming Prabhas into a global superstar, and he succeeded brilliantly by incorporating numerous heroic elements, comedic touches, and diverse mannerisms into his character. Amitabh Bachchan's dynamic performance added to the film's appeal, while cameos by Rajamouli, Vijay Deverakonda, Dulquer Salmaan, and Ram Gopal Varma further captivated audiences. Although the film could have benefited from stronger emotional depth and a more fast-paced first half, it still shines with its impressive cast and direction. Considering all these elements, Cinejosh rates "Kalki 2898 AD" a solid 3 out of 5.