Quick Facts
Title: Kalki 2898 AD
Plot: A modern-day avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who is believed to have descended to earth to protect the world from evil forces.
Genres: Action Epic, Adventure Epic, Artificial Intelligence, Desert Adventure, Dystopian Sci-Fi, Epic, Fantasy Epic, Sci-Fi Epic, Action, Adventure
IMDb Rating: 7.6
User Reviews Count: 6
Director: Nag Ashwin
Cast: Nag Ashwin, Nag Ashwin, Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Nag Ashwin, Nag Ashwin, Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Nag Ashwin, Nag Ashwin
Release Date: June 27, 2024 (United States, India)
Languages: Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, English
Movie Review
**Kalki 2898 AD** is a sci-fi film set in the distant future. Directed by Nag Ashwin, it features a star-studded cast, including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Deepika Padukone.
What Works:
1. Amitabh Bachchan’s Performance: Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama is the highlight. His powerful presence and gravelly voice dominate the film. He brings a sense of gravitas and intensity.
2. Visuals and Set Pieces: The film borrows from many popular sci-fi and fantasy movies. It has elements from *Mad Max*, *Game of Thrones*, *Star Wars*, and more. The visuals are grand, and some action sequences are well-executed.
3. Kamal Haasan’s Role: Although Kamal Haasan appears sparingly, he leaves a strong impact as the villain, Supreme Yaskin.
What Doesn’t Work:
1. Weak Screenplay: The story struggles with pacing and coherence. The first half is slow and fails to engage. It only picks up in the second half.
2. Prabhas’s Character: Prabhas, who plays Bhairava, feels out of place. His character doesn’t have the depth or screen presence needed for a lead role. His attempts at humor fall flat.
3. Underutilized Cast: Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani have limited roles. Their characters are not well-developed, making them forgettable.
4. Complex Plot: The film introduces too many characters and plot points. It becomes confusing and hard to follow. The humor, especially in the Hindi version, does not land well.
5. Influences and Inspirations: The movie seems to borrow heavily from other films. This makes it feel less original and more like a mix of borrowed ideas.
Overall Assessment:
“Kalki 2898 AD” is ambitious but fails to deliver a cohesive and engaging story. While Amitabh Bachchan’s performance and some visual elements stand out, the film struggles with a weak screenplay, underdeveloped characters, and pacing issues. It has moments of brilliance but is ultimately a mixed bag.
In summary, “Kalki 2898 AD” tries to be an epic sci-fi adventure but falls short due to its confusing plot and uneven execution. Fans of the genre may enjoy parts of it, but it leaves much to be desired.
