Prabhas and Nag Ashwin have come together for Kalki 2898 AD which happens to be one of the costliest projects in Indian cinema. The film hit the theaters today and here is what we have to say after watching the visually extravagant sci-fi thriller on the big screens.
Story:
Kalki 2898 AD is all about Kaasi – the last city of the world, a complex where the entire world resources are sucked up and Shambala, the rebels city. People of Shambala wait for the rebirth of the god to save them from Yaskin, the supremo of Complex. Bhairava is Kaasi resident and would like to work in the complex for better life. Ashwatthama waiting for moksha by protecting the woman who carries the baby god. Yaskin ultimate goal is to get the super powers by injecting the serum taken from a woman that can hold a fetus for more than 120 days with a formula injected. The rest of the story is all about if Yaskin is able to get the serum? how Bhairava and Ashwatthama are related is to be seen on the silver screen.
What about on-screen performances:
The film has a host of star actors including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan and others in the lead roles. Prabhas plays Bhairava and he runs the show with his on screen presence. The look suits him well for the most part.
Deepika gets a meaty role and she delivers what is expected of her. The subtle emotions work out with her refined performance. Amitabh plays Ashwathama and is seen through the course of the film and he is indeed the star of the movie. He stole the show with his presence, dialogues and performance. Kamal’s look is extensively redesigned and it is influenced by CGI. His performance is good as usual.
Other noted names like Shobana, Rajendra prasad, Dulquer Salman played key roles and they all did good. Bhramanandam, Ram gopal varma and SS Rajamouli are utilized to generate some laughter but in vain. Telugu heartthrob Vijay Devarakonda acted as Arjuna and his role spans less than 2 mins. Disha Patani shows up on the screen for a brief role but doesn’t make any impression. The rest of the cast delivers what is expected of them.
What about off-screen talents:
Director Nag Ashwin has reimagined the Hindu epic of Mahabharath and spun a story surrounding the Kalki characters. The film essentially deals with extreme past in the mythology and the extreme future, involving the Kasi city. Basing a film on mythology and reimagining it with a futuristic approach is the mainstay of the film. The early exchanges are a bit slow as the film gets a slow start. The second half is where everything unfolds and it is packed with action.
Nagi did a great job in translating what he has envisioned on to the silver screen with utmost precision especially in the later half. Editing and BGM could have been a lot better. CGI is top notch and is on par with Hollywood standards. Production values are awesome.
What’s Hot:
Visual grandeur in 2nd half
Amithabh Bachan
Prabhas Presence
Mahabharath character blending
What’s Not:
1st half flat narration
Lackluster BGM
Long run-time
Verdict: Overall, Kalki 2898 AD makes for a decent one time watch for all the Sci-fi action movie lovers with the grandeur it possesses. Director excels in the later half of the movie and makes up for the poor first half. The BGM and editing is underwhelming though. The visuals/CGI work is commendable as it is on par with high quality Hollywood work. It definitely sets up the mood for the sequel.
TeluguBulletin Rating: 2.75/5
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Kalki 2898 AD is an Indian epic dystopian science fiction action film written and directed by Nag Ashwin. Produced by C. Aswani Dutt under Vyjayanthi Movies, iInspired by Hindu scriptures, the film is set in a post-apocalyptic world, in the year 2898 AD.
The film features Prabhas in the lead role with an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Disha Patani, and Brahmanandam in prominent roles.
The music was scored by Santhosh Narayanan, with cinematography by Djordje Stojiljkovic, production design by Nitin Zihani Choudhary, and editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao.
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3:00 PM EST : Shambala has been introduced. Story begins with 6000 Years after Kurukshetra, Prabhas lives in Khasi where nothing is available. Complex is where all would like to enter. First fight of the movie is gone waste. One hour in to the movie, not much engaging content.
3:45 PM EST: RGV, Brahmanandam, Dulquer, and Disha for filler scenes. Comedy between RGV and Brahmanandam did not work out.
Final Report: Much awaited movie Kalki starts slow, pick ups the pace right before the interval and it sustains. Narration falls flat in the first half. Nagi is successful in converting his vision to silver screen and transported the audience to fictional world of Kalki. Nagi excelled in blending Mahabarata characters to the plot of Kalki. Amitabh Bachhan has stolen the show as Aswadhama, Prabhas’s role in later half is good. BGM disppoints, CG is top notch and on par with Hollywood movies. Overall Kalki can be a winner for fictional epic movie lovers.