KALKI 2898 AD Movie Review: Though It’s All About Prabhas but Watch It for Amitabh Bachchan!

The expectations and hype around the Telugu film have come nothing close to what has been the case of the days leading up to the release of Kalki 2898 AD in the post-pandemic world we live in today. The case of a 6-year labor of love of Nag Ashwin, the ambitious decision of creating a dystopian fantasy film with elements of ancient Indian history and culture and to stick to your guns and belief for a vision despite the treacherous journey of complications along the way. Going in for this film, I really went with a clean slate, not knowing what to expect. Credit has to be given to the makers of the film for keeping the massive spoilers and developments of the plot of the film at bay for so many years, as the audience really was stepping into the theatre with no preconceived notions.

The big, budgeted Tollywood release begins with the end of the Mahabharata, as Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan) is cursed by Lord Krishna with immortality for his attempt to kill Uttara’s unborn child. Krishna tells him about redemption, referring to his last avatar, Kalki, which will take place in the future world when darkness takes over the universe. Cut to a post-apocalyptic world in the year 2898 AD, the film follows the story of SUM-80, Sumathi (Deepika Padukone), a lab subject who happens to be the mother who will give birth to God. Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan), the proclaimed god of the Complex – a place presenting dystopian Kashi in the future, is trying to find the serum from fertilized women who can bear his powers. While every woman is failing to do so and is dying in the process, Sumathi turns out to be healthy even after 150 days. Ashwatthama realizes the signs and arrives to save Sumathi and her child, while Yaskin’s men are hunting every place down to find her. Bhairava (Prabhas) is a bounty hunter looking for a place in the Complex, and that’s why he’s after Sumathi, which sets him up against immortal Ashwatthama. Who will win? I have to be completely unfiltered and honest with you guys as there is a lot to pack with this film and anyone telling you that this is an absolute knockout of a film in every department or even telling you that it’s trash and not worth your time is lying to you. A film of this scale and the number of elements it packs in its narrative requires a very nuanced approach with its review because for me personally this film lies somewhere in the middle. So, getting right into it here’s me telling you the good and bad aspects of the film so that you guys can ultimately decide whether to watch Kalki 2898 AD in theatres or not?

There are episodes in the first half that test your patience, as they drag for no reason. The team can easily trim 20 minutes from the first half.

The film peaks in the second half, especially the last 40 minutes. The action of Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan with Deepika Padukone at the center, followed by the extended climax keeps you on the edge of your seat. The visuals are out of the world, elevated further by the background score. The finale sets things up for the second installment of Kalki 2898 AD.

Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama is the highlight of the film. He has a roaring screen presence and excels. My generation hasn’t experienced the larger-than-life heroism of Mr. Amitabh Bachchan on the big screen in the 70s and 80s. And Nag Ashwin does that for us in Kalki 2898 AD.

Deepika Padukone gets a meaty part and is the soul of the film. She delivers a fabulous performance, lending the right emotions.

Prabhas does well in his part though his character warranted a better arc. I feel, the maker has saved the best of Prabhas for the sequel. He gets his share of elevation moments and emerges a winner in there. His act in the climax is sure to be greeted with whistles and claps.

Kamal Haasan is terrific in his cameo and spikes excitement for the next installment.

Some of the cameos are exciting and comes across as a pleasant surprise in the narrative.

Nag Ashwin dreams big and manages to execute the same to the spectacle by merging a post-apocalyptic world with Mahabharata. He takes a lot of time to set the things up and the first half has ample of pacing issues. In-fact, the narrative dips majorly after an impressive beginning, however, the things set up well with the pre-interval block.

The last 45 minutes of the film is PEAK CINEMA – Watch it to believe it. Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Kamal Haasan set things on FIRE.

Overall, Kalki 2898 AD is an ambitious film and director Nag Ashwin deserves full marks for sticking to his conviction. While 30 minutes of trimming, especially first half, would elevate the experience, the film has enough in the second half to warrant a theatrical watch and keep the audience interested in the sequel.

3.25 Stars!