Kalki 2898 AD Movie Review: A Fusion of Mythology and Sci-Fi
Movie Name: Kalki 2898 AD
Release Date: 2024-06-27
Cast: Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Disha Patani, Rajendra Prasad, Shobhana
Director: Nag Ashwin
Producer: Aswani Dutt
Music: Santhosh Narayanan
Banner: Vyjayanthi Movies
Highlights:
Another pan-India film featuring Prabhas
Action scenes showcasing Prabhas are a highlight
High production value
VFX overshadowing the story
Perfect portrayal of Ashwaddhama
Inadequate costumes
Summary:
Prabhas stars in “Kalki 2898 AD,” directed by Nag Ashwin and produced under the Vyjayanthi Movies banner. Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani play crucial roles.
Released today across India, the movie starts with the Mahabharata war, focusing on Ashwaddhama’s vendetta against the Pandavas for his father Dronacharya’s death.
Krishna curses him to live for thousands of years, waiting for the time he will need his help in Kaliyuga.
Thousands of years after the Kurukshetra war, humanity struggles to survive on Earth. The people of Kashi city, under the rule of Supreme (Kamal Haasan), face numerous hardships.
Sensing the imminent arrival of Lord Kalki, Supreme conducts experiments on pregnant women to prevent Kalki’s birth. Meanwhile, the residents of Shambala, led by Maria (Shobhana), attempt to hide a pregnant woman carrying Kalki.
Prabhas plays Bhairava, a carefree young man from Kashi, whose goal is to enter Supreme’s complex. He learns that Sumati (Deepika Padukone) has become pregnant through Supreme’s experiments.
Supreme wants to harness the power of Kalki’s fetus, but the Shambala residents secretly take Sumati away. Supreme’s commander Manas strikes a deal with Bhairava, leading to a series of conflicts.
As the story unfolds, Ashwaddhama, living in seclusion, realizes the time Krishna foretold has come and steps into the fray.
The plot intertwines ancient mythology with a futuristic science fiction setting, revolving around Bhairava, Sumati, Ashwaddhama, Supreme, and the Shambala residents.
The film spans different eras, requiring extensive sets for ordinary people, Shambala residents, Bhairava’s residence, Supreme’s complex, and Ashwaddhama’s hideout.
However, the costumes, including those worn by Prabhas, fall short. Vehicles and weapon designs in the future setting also lack consistency and appeal, heavily relying on VFX, which detracts from the story’s engagement.
Prabhas’s character momentarily shows shades of a villain, linked to mythological elements.
Despite the presence of numerous characters, including Disha Patani, Brahmanandam, Vijay Deverakonda, Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur, and Faria Abdullah, none leave a significant impact.
The narrative sometimes feels prolonged, with unnecessary scenes. Notably, cameos by directors Rajamouli and Anudeep distract the audience from the story. The absence of romance or love songs disappoints fans.
Production quality is top-notch, with Santosh Narayanan’s background score being a strong point. The cinematography impresses, though some scenes could benefit from tighter editing.
The fight sequences between Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan are well-designed but overextended. Despite Prabhas being the hero, Ashwaddhama’s character seems more perfectly crafted. Kamal Haasan’s look is surprising and impressive.
The modern weaponry used by Shambala residents seems out of place. The plot’s clarity improves over time, but initially, it can be confusing for the audience. Clearer upfront explanations could have made the viewing experience smoother.
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