Kalki (2024)

Kalki 2898 AD — A Cinematic Rebirth of Myth and Machine

Theatrical Release Poster 

Title: Kalki 2898 AD

Genre: Sci-fi Mythological Action

Director: Nag Ashwin

Release Date: June 27, 2024

Language: Telugu (Dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, English)

Budget: ₹600+ Crore

Box Office: ₹1,130+ Crore worldwide (approx.)

Main Cast:

Prabhas as Bhairava (Bounty Hunter)

Deepika Padukone as SUM-80 (Pregnant woman hiding Kalki)

Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama (Immortal warrior)

Kamal Haasan as Supreme Yaskin (Villain)

Disha Patani as Roxie

In an era when science fiction is often reduced to CGI-heavy escapism, Kalki 2898 AD stands tall as a cinematic marvel that fuses ancient Indian mythology with a post-apocalyptic future. Directed by Nag Ashwin and headlined by superstar Prabhas, this film is not just a movie — it's a multi-layered spectacle, a prophecy reimagined, and a bold new direction for Indian cinema.

---

The Futuristic Tale of a Forgotten God

The plot of Kalki 2898 AD opens with a deeply spiritual and haunting performance by Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama, the immortal warrior cursed to walk the Earth until the arrival of Lord Vishnu’s tenth avatar — Kalki.

Fast-forward to the year 2898 AD, Earth is now a dystopian hellscape. The surviving city of Kasi is under the control of a tyrannical elite led by the terrifying Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan, in a transformation so haunting that audiences reportedly gasped during his first appearance).

Into this world enters Bhairava (Prabhas), a bounty hunter who seeks fame, credits, and a better life in the mythical "Complex." He is tasked with capturing SUM-80 (Deepika Padukone), a mysterious pregnant woman hiding the reincarnation of Kalki, the god-child destined to reset the timeline and cleanse the world of evil.

---

Cast: A Multiverse of Legends

• Prabhas as Bhairava — a reluctant hero with anti-hero shades
• Deepika Padukone as SUM-80 — the modern-day Yashoda
• Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama — cursed but faithful
• Kamal Haasan as Yaskin — a blend of Ravana, Palpatine & Thanos
• Disha Patani as Roxie — the rebel android with a secret
• Saswata Chatterjee as Commander Manas
• Keerthy Suresh (Voice of Bujji) — a witty AI companion

Hidden Fact: The character "SUM-80" isn't a random name. It’s a nod to “Samhita 80”, a Sanskrit scripture that references the Kalki Avatar.

---

Themes: Dystopia Meets Divinity

Nag Ashwin pulls off a rare cinematic feat — merging the cosmic depth of the Mahabharata with the bleakness of cyberpunk. Themes of immortality, karma, rebirth, and dharma are embedded within a narrative that also questions AI ethics, totalitarianism, and human extinction.

Easter Egg: In the background of one scene, a digital screen shows the phrase “Yugaantam near” — a hidden hint at the end of the Kali Yuga.

---

Behind-the-Scenes Brilliance

• Budget: Over ₹600 Crore ($72+ million), India’s most expensive film
• Production Time: 4 years, delayed by COVID and heavy VFX integration
• Studios: Shot extensively at Ramoji Film City with AI-assisted cinematography
• Music: Santhosh Narayanan’s haunting score includes Bhairava Anthem, composed using a mix of tribal chants and AI-generated synths

Fun Fact: Prabhas reportedly trained with NASA’s zero-gravity simulation team to prepare for space-fight sequences.

---

Deleted Scenes That Could’ve Changed Everything

Although not publicly released, insider reports suggest:

• A flashback where Ashwatthama meets Krishna one final time
• A confrontation between SUM-80 and a rogue AI faction called Trikaal
• A scene showing Yaskin’s past as a scientist who discovers Amritam, the immortality serum

Rumor: Kamal Haasan’s monologue on humanity's failure was cut by 3 minutes for being “too philosophical” for general audiences.

---

Visuals & World-Building

Think Mad Max: Fury Road meets Blade Runner 2049 — but soaked in Indian ethos. The barren land of Shambhala (believed to be hidden in the Himalayas) is shown as a tech-noir haven with remnants of ancient temples and weaponized drones flying over.

Visual Clue: A crumbling statue of Vishnu with robotic limbs appears during a lightning strike — symbolizing god's return in machine form.

---

Release & Reception

• Release Date: June 27, 2024
• Formats: IMAX, 3D, 4DX
• Languages: Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and English

Box Office:

• Opening Day: ₹180 Crore
• Global Total: ₹1,130 Crore
• 4th Highest Grossing Telugu Film Ever

---

Critical Reception

Critics were divided, yet intrigued.

• The Guardian praised it as a “maximalist sci-fi epic that dares to reimagine Hindu cosmology.”
• Rotten Tomatoes score: 78% (Audience Score: 91%)
• Social media exploded with theories — from SUM-80 being Sita reincarnated to Bhairava secretly being Kalki himself.

---

Final Verdict:

Kalki 2898 AD isn’t just a film. It’s an experience, a vision, and perhaps a warning of what’s to come. If mythology is the past’s technology, then this film is a message sent to the future.

---

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

A must-watch for:

• Fans of epic storytelling
• Sci-fi lovers seeking something spiritually grounded
• Anyone curious about what Indian cinema looks like at its boldest