Kalki 2898 AD Review : A Proper Indian Mythological Science Fiction
Sarkar Rating: 3/5 Release Date: June,2024
Cast:
Deepika Padukone, Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Disha Patani ,Kamal Hassan and Others
Crew:
Director: Nag Ashwin
Producer : Ashwini Dutt C
Music Director: Santhosh Narayanan
Cinematographer: Djordie Stojilikovi
Editor: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Story:
In the far dystopian era, 6,000 years after the Kurukshethra War, people struggle for water and breathable air. There are three words that have life, one in the dystopian Kasi, the second in the refugee’s Shambhala, and third in the Complex where the Supreme Yaskin resides. People from all three worlds keep suffering due to the monopoly of food, water, and even oxygen by Supreme Yaskin.
Everyone except Yaskin and his blind devottees seeks change that would save life on earth. Mariamma preaches and plants hopes in everyone that there will be the birth of someone who will bring back their long lost dream of being on earth with the resources of water, food, and oxygen to breathe. Who is going to be born? Will he be born, or will Yaskin stop everything? Who will help for his birth?
Kalki 2898 AD is a visual wonder with all the highs for an entertaining Telugu Cinema
Kalki 2898 AD, as the name suggests, takes us into a dystopian world that is absolutely the result of human overconsumption of resources on earth. Director Nag Ashwin captured the essence of such a world with that brilliance that you would be able to see that world as a cemetery, where there is no life and Bhairava, who is Kala Bhairava, the alias of Lord Shiva, resides in Kasi.
It is no wonder to imagine that with global warming, excess consumption of all the natural resources, we would end up in such a deadly, i.e., no life world, dreaming of having a cup of pure water or oxygen in a day. The director’s vision is crystal clear and satirically beautiful. Director Nag Ashwin succeeded in taking the viewers on a ride into the pathetic future of human destruction. The monopoly of water, food, and, finally, oxygen is what we may head to in the future.
It is said that Lord Krishna said that when iniquity is at its highest, cruelty is the supreme power, he will come back. As every avatar of Vishnu is named, we named this 10th avatar Kalki. With iniquity winning and at its highest, will Vishnu really be able to come back to bid Kali (the lord of iniquity) goodbye forever? Will he even allow the birth of Kalki? The world of Complex is all about that—the monopoly of the entire universe. There is water, plenty of nutritious food, lush greens, and flowers that every common man like Bhairava would dream to live in. It is simply a beautiful paradise with power seekers. Bhairava’s life ambition is to settle in the Complex and for that, he will do anything.
Visual feast for the fans of Mahabharat, the movie is 70% Mahabharat and 30% science fiction. It is like a Gen Z approach for Mahabharat. The current generation, or people who think Mahabharat is not for them, will definitely change their minds after watching it. There have been plenty of versions of Mahabharat on small and big screens till now, but Kalki 2898 AD marks the most scientific approach to it. It gives you the scientific proof that entertains the science minds along with the believers of mythology. Nag Ashwin used the CGI up to par to keep it as real as possible. The visual representation of Kasi, Complex is nothing less than any Spielberg movie.
Kalki 2898 AD, there are a few straight plot points taken from the Harry Potter series: one is about a weapon; this is inspired by the concept of the rightful owner of the powerful Dumbledore’s wand. If you are a Harry Potter buff, you recognise it immediately on screen. The most powerful wand is always controlled by its rightful owner, no matter who possesses it temporarily. The other plot point inspired by the Harry Potter series, the blood connection between Voldmort and Harry Potter. Find out about it more directly in the movie.
There could be similarities in the action sequences, like the uniquely shaped lazer guns and drones, that could draw similarities from Hollywood movies about the future too, but not entirely; everything has its place.
What didn’t workout?
Dulquer Salman, Malvika Nair characters, although important, the screen time given doesn’t bring any good to them, seemed like a wasted opportunity. Dulquer Salman, especially Bhairava’s character building has a lot to do with Dulquer Salman’s character, Captain, but the screentime given made it all less engaging.
Kalki 2898 AD is 3 hours and 1 minute long, although the time duration is not that concerning, the lack of accurate editing keeps the viewers distracted easily. Few scenes are prolonged to the extent that we stumble up questioning why we are still here and why this is so long. At the same time, a few sequences, like the Dulquer Salman episode, are cut short, which could have been made into a more emotional and engaging back story of Bhairava. This kind of dragging pace affected the overall viewing experience of the movie. The makers should concentrate more on the craft and how engaging the screenplay is, rather than making it longer to be on those epic movie lists of fame.
The women roles, there is a dialogue in the movie- “In the future, human beings are equal.” The movie is set in the future, even in 2898 AD, if we had to hear the same dialogue, it would be questionable. Kaira, played by Anna Ben, could potentially be the hero of the movie. She has the best intentions, and her character traits align with those of Lord Krishna in the way that she lives in the moment, has a sense of self esteem that she is the lucky charm, a brave warrior, and even has the heart to sacrifice for the mission. This character, who has more hero traits than anyone else in the entire movie, should have been taken to the heights that it deserved.
Actress Shobhana shines for a few seconds, and that’s it. She exits the screen in a jiff. Is it because of Nag Ashwin’s inexperience to do this big of an epic drama, or was it a deliberate choice? Even the main role of Deepika Pdukone has no depth, is not powerful, or has nothing that pulls you towards her; her character can be played by anyone else, but Deepika, who has done strong female characters in the past like PIKU, Padmaavat, Baji Rao Mastani, and Hollywood movies like XXX, is doing this no depth next door girl character, which is hard to watch.
When we see Mani Ratnam’s take on women’s roles in PS 1 and PS 2, the roles are glorified, and rightly so. When you take a powerful female character, it is the duty of the writers and directors to provide justification. Due to the lack of strength in women’s characters, it felt like they were only seen as their wombs. I want to expect Nag Ashwin to rise above and give more depth and value to female characters in the next part, which would be more engaging and entertaining.
Special Mention: The Krishna and Shiva connection—that Shiva is the one who facilitates the comeback of Vishnu on this earth for the good to win—the way the screenplays this point by Nag Ashwin is beyond extraordinary. The highs that every characterization brings to the screen are never before seen on a Telugu screen.
Characterizations :
It is a straight fact that Amitabh Bachchan is the hero of this epic movie and it is rightful to do. Amitabh Bachan is given the greatest honor by Telugu cinema with this Ashwathama character. His superhero powers have added more charisma to the movie.
Supreme Yaskin, played by Kamal Hassan, although it is hard to watch Kamal Hassan in such a cruel, villanous role, especially after Vikram, as an actor only he can do this role. There is more depth to his role as it speaks volumes about the failure of human society that, we humans have always over-consumed our resources and caused more harm to this earth than any living being. There is a lot of pain in his character. It is no news that he will enlighten us more in the next part of Kalki 2898 AD .
Prabhas as Bhairava, has brought his funny side and fight mode sides together seamlessly. The blend and the depth of his character is a perfect blend to fall in love with him. The final revelation of his character is what keeps Kalki 2898 AD on top today. Bujji, AI automobile claims a special credit for itself being a character, and that too played in the most delightful way by Keerthi Suresh. Everyone deserves a quirky, motivating and leg pulling friend like Bujji in their life.
Deepika Padukone as SSUM-80, played a down to earth role, she is the main female carrier of the womb, as we all saw in the trailer. Disha Patani’s role is forgettable.
Rajendra Prasad as Rumi, Saswatha Chatterjee as Commander Manas, Shobhana as Mariam, Brahmanandam as Rajan, Pasupathy as Veeran, Anna Ben as Kyra, Ayaz Pasha as Ajju, Keya Nair as Raiya all did great in their roles. It’s them who we connect to for every scene. Every character has its own value in the movie. Ayaz Pasha, Saswatha Chatterjee, and Shobhana bring those critical moments to life effortlessly. All the cameos are a pleasure to watch.
Special Mention: The Krishna and Shiva connection—that Shiva is the one who facilitates the comeback-oi of Vishnu on this earth for the good to win—the way the screenplays this point by Nag Ashwin is beyond extraordinary. The highs that every characterization brings to the screen are never before seen on a Telugu screen. Thanks for choosing to leave Krishna’s appearance for the audience’s imagination.
Verdict:
Kalki 2898 AD is definitely a theatre-watch movie. Mahabharata and Karna fans would feel highs at extraordinary levels. The weaving of mythology and science fiction is seamless, which both the older generation and the younger generation would easily connect to. The comedy, emotional, motivational, and action sequences are to the par that bring smile on everyone’s face. The entertaining cameo roles.
Read Also : Kalki 2898AD Team Treats Fans with ‘Theme of Kalki’