Under Nag Ashwin’s direction, this massive project, Kalki 2898 AD, takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where the city of ‘Kashi’ is the lone bastion of hope. It is unlike any other Indian film because of its distinctive fusion of science fiction and mythology.
PLOT: Based on the epic of Hindu mythology Mahabharata, Kalki 2898 AD takes place in a dystopian future known as Kalyug. The story revolves around Kalki’s expected birth, which is meant to restore God’s presence and put an end to the world’s suffering.
Highlights: Kalki 2898 AD has a lot of intricate action scenes and is extremely stunning. It is on par with Hollywood superhero franchises thanks to its superior visual effects. The employment of several ethnic groups in a post-apocalyptic world, rather than only Indians, was one of the intricate aspects that helped to keep the viewers interested in the story. It will appeal to those who prefer epics and action-packed films because of its U/A rating. Actors and filmmakers make noticeable cameos that add their unique flair to the narrative. It’s fun to see Bhairava and Bujji joke around with each other.
DRAWBACKS: Despite the story’s attempt to depict each character’s development concurrently, there were moments when it was challenging to follow up. Prolonged and drawn-out action scenes tried their hardest to elicit oohs and aahs from the audience, but they couldn’t hold their attention for very long. Although the addition of the AI droid/vehicle was performed fairly successfully, it did not explain to the audience why or how Bhairava even possessed this technology.
Performances: Above all, Kalki 2898 AD is the tale of Ashwatthama’s self-redemption following his effort to break the Pandava dynasty by sending his Brahmastra in the direction of Uttara’s (Malvika Nair) womb. Krishna grants him a second opportunity at salvation even as he curses him to spend all of eternity realising his foolishness. And as Ashwatthama, Amitabh steals the show.
Technicalities: The fight scenes in Kalki 2898 AD are a little strangely staged, especially the ones that call for a lot of visual effects or occur in close quarters. The impression that everything is taking place on a sound stage is unavoidable. That being said, the battle scenes in Ashwatthama are not in the same league. Even while he is cutting the adversary to shreds, his entire eight feet move in what appears to be a synchroised dance. Even though he is hurling concrete at Bhairava’s head, he exudes grace. He and Bhairava-Bujji engaged in a specific combat scenario that highlights the fabled figure’s level of fighting proficiency.
VERDICT: Overall, it’s a great experience that is visually spectacular, entertaining and occasionally musically agreeable. It maintained the promise of action in a typical Tollywood manner.
Director and Writer: Nag Ashwin
Produced by : Ellipsis Entertainment production
Dialogues by: Nag Ashwin, Sai Madhav Burra
Cinematography: Djordje Stojiljkovic
Cast : Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika
Padukone, Disha Patani, and Keerthy Suresh (Voice-over)
Music by: Santhosh Narayanan
Edited by: Kotagiri Venkateshwara Rao
Rating : 3.5
