KALKI 2898 AD MOVIE REVIEW
Cast: Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan, Shobhana, Saswata Chatterjee and others
Director: Nag Ashwin
In Kalki 2898 AD, director Nag Ashwin attempts to blend Hindu mythology with futuristic sci-fi, resulting in a visually spectacular but narratively muddled film. Set nearly 6000 years after the Mahabharata war, the story unfolds in a dystopian world where Kashi stands as the last surviving city.
The film follows Bhairava (Prabhas), a bounty hunter striving to enter the Complex, a towering structure reserved for the privileged. His path crosses with Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan), the immortal warrior from the Mahabharata, and Sumati (Deepika Padukone), a mysterious pregnant woman crucial to the fate of humanity. As they navigate a world ruled by the tyrannical Yaskin (Kamal Haasan), they must confront ancient prophecies and futuristic threats to potentially usher in the arrival of Kalki, the final avatar of Vishnu.
The film’s strength lies in its visual grandeur. Cinematographer Djordje Stojiljkovic and production designer Nitin Zihani Choudhary create a world that’s both awe-inspiring and bleak. The action sequences, particularly those involving Bachchan’s Ashwatthama, are impressive and well-executed.
However, Kalki 2898 AD stumbles in its storytelling. The first half feels disjointed, with poorly paced exposition and unnecessary subplots. The romance between Bhairava and Roxie (Disha Patani) adds little to the narrative and slows the film’s momentum.
As the story progresses, it finds its footing, delivering some twists and emotional depth, particularly through Padukone’s character. The film’s ambitious scope becomes clearer, setting the stage for a potential franchise.
Prabhas delivers a solid performance as the morally ambiguous Bhairava, while Bachchan commands the screen with his portrayal of Ashwatthama. Kamal Haasan brings menace to his brief role as Yaskin, leaving the audience wanting more. Deepika Padukone, though has only a few words, communicates a lot through her eyes. The supporting cast, including Shobana and Pasupathy, provide performances that enhance the film’s texture.
Santhosh Narayanan’s score elevates key scenes, though some musical choices feel out of place in the futuristic setting. The dialogue, while occasionally thought-provoking, often veers into cliché territory.
Kalki 2898 AD is Nag Ashwin’s bold gambit – a fusion of ancient myth and futuristic spectacle that’s as frustrating as it is fascinating. It’s like someone tossed the Mahabharata into a blender with Star Wars and Blade Runner and hit puree. For every moment of visual splendor, there’s a narrative stumble. The film’s ambition often outpaces its execution. Yet, there’s an undeniable allure to this flawed epic. It’s a messy, overstuffed buffet of ideas that, while not fully realized, hints at a cinematic universe with potential. Whether that potential is fulfilled remains to be seen.