• Director: Nag Ashwin
  • Duration : 3hrs 1min.
  • In Theatres Now!!
  • Ratings : 4.5/5

What intrigues me is how films like Kalki 2898 AD resurrect the mythical tales that captivated our childhood imaginations. Today, cinematic prowess breathes new life into these awe-inspiring stories, long buried in history.

Kalki 2898 AD transports us into a realm where futuristic technology intertwines with the timeless wisdom of Hindu mythology. This cinematic journey not only pushes the boundaries of imagination but also explores profound spiritual themes. This film the marks the inaugural chapter in the planned Kalki Cinematic series.

The Plot & Settings :

The storyline predominantly unfolds in the year 2898 AD, seamlessly transitioning between the ancient Kurukshetra war and a distant future, 6000 years after the war’s conclusion. Ashwatthama (played by Amitabh Bachchan) is cursed to remain immortal until Vishnu’s new avatar is reborn, and 6000 years later, he remains on guard preparing for a final battle, hopeful for the resurgence of divinity.

Introducing us to three distinct worlds—The Complex, Kaashi, and Shambala—each world provides a unique backdrop to the narrative, promising hope and intrigue.

The Complex: A towering dystopian metropolis on Earth, soaring a kilometer into the sky. Here, futuristic technology and abundant natural resources create an enviable environment for its inhabitants, offering greenery, clean air, water, and food in abundance. Kaashi, once a thriving city on Earth, is now stripped of its natural resources. Its inhabitants struggle to gain entry into The Complex, symbolizing the stark divide between privilege and desperation. The Third world Shambala portrayed as a refugee camp, where people sacrifice everything for a glimmer of hope in a better future. This underworld becomes the battleground where Kalki, the protagonist, confronts formidable adversaries and unravels the interconnected secrets binding these three worlds together.

Each world in “Kalki 2898 AD” contributes to the film’s thematic depth and visual spectacle, weaving together elements of science fiction and Hindu mythology to create a narrative that spans across dimensions and challenges perceptions of reality and destiny.

The Characters of the Plot :

The Complex which is controlled by The Supreme (played by Kamal Hasan) has a sinister plot in the sideline, an experiment to bear the serum of a fertile woman who will bear him immortality. His team of sidekicks Manas (played by Saswata Chatterjee) and Bani (played by Anil George) work to identify that special lady who will bear the God child destined to end his Supremacy. We are introduced to Bhairava (played by Prabhas) a joyful character, bounty hunter who’s sole aspiration is to move to the other side of the Complex. And to make it happen he joins the bounty hunt for Sumati (played by Deepika Padukone).

Why ? Whats ? I won’t spoil it for you. There are several cameos which add to the visual and storytelling (some a treat, some a waste) but then the film has so much going for it that you can’t help but wait to see what unfolds next…

Technical Perspective :

Director Nag Ashwin skillfully navigates the cinematic landscape in “Kalki 2898 AD,” leveraging a blend of stunning visuals and innovative special effects to breathe life into the futuristic setting. His meticulous attention to detail is evident with his ability to balance spectacle with story telling . He adeptly uses special effects to enhance key scenes, creating a visually immersive experience for the audience. Overall Nag Ashwin’s direction in “Kalki 2898 AD” is an impressive merger of visual spectacle with thematic depth.

The Film’s Impact:

For me, Kalki 2898 AD did more than deliver what it promised. It is a visually stunning and thematically rich sci-fi film that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre and some more. Despite its slow pace in the beginining and an unrequired love angle with Disha Patni (who stays irrelevant), the film has much going for it. Don’t miss some interesting cameos in various avataars adding spark to the storytelling.

Highly recommended for viewers looking for ambitious storytelling and impressive visuals.

FILM CREDIT :

  • Story-Screenplay-Dialogues-Direction : Nag Ashwin
  • Producer: C.Aswini Dutt Co-Producers : Swapna Dutt & Priyanka Dutt
  • DOP: Djordje Stojiljkovic
  • Music: Santhosh Narayanan
  • Lyrics: Krishnakanth
  • Editor: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao 
  • Production Designer: Nitin Zihani Choudhary
  • Dialogues: Sai Madhav Burra. Additional Dialogues : B S Sarwagna Kumar
  • Additional Screenplay : Rutham Samar
  • Lyrics : Ramajogiah Sastry, Chandrabose, Krishna Kanth
  • Character Design : Preetisheel D’souza (Amitabh Bachchan), Akhihito Ikeda (Kamal Haasan)
  • Art Director: Anil Jadhav, Santosh Shetty, Velu, Rembon
  • VFX Creative Producer: Phani Eggone, Murali, Sanath, Praveen Kilaru
  • Stunts: King Solomon, Andy Long, Peter Heins, Satish, Anbariv, nick powell
  • Colorist: Andres Delgado, Prashant Sharma
  • DI: Famous Digital Studios
  • Post Production: THE POST CO.      
  • Post Production Manager: Dattu M