A Telugu Sci-Fi Spectacle That Soars and Stumbles
Released on June 27, 2024, Kalki 2898 AD is a Telugu-language sci-fi extravaganza that dares to dream big, blending Hindu mythology with a dystopian future. Directed by Nag Ashwin and boasting a star-studded cast—Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan—this ambitious film marks the first chapter of the Kalki Cinematic Universe. With a reported budget exceeding ₹600 crore (around $75 million USD), it’s the most expensive Indian film ever made, and its box-office haul of over ₹1,000 crore reflects its massive appeal. Available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video since August 2024, Kalki 2898 AD is a visual feast that pushes Telugu cinema into uncharted territory—but does its narrative match its grandeur? Let’s dive in.
The Plot: Myth Meets Machine
Set in 2898 AD, the film unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world where Kasi, the last city on Earth, teeters under the shadow of the “Complex”—an inverted pyramid where the elite hoard resources. Below, the masses scrape by in a dusty slum, a stark metaphor for inequality. The story kicks off with a prologue rooted in the Mahabharata: Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan), cursed by Krishna to live eternally, awaits redemption by protecting Kalki, Vishnu’s tenth avatar. Fast-forward 6,000 years, and Ashwatthama’s mission collides with Bhairava (Prabhas), a cocky bounty hunter, and Sumathi (Deepika Padukone), a pregnant fugitive carrying the prophesied child.
The narrative juggles multiple threads: Bhairava’s pursuit of Sumathi for a bounty, Ashwatthama’s ancient duty, and the sinister Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan), a god-king exploiting fetal serum to sustain his rule. It’s a dense setup, and the three-hour runtime (with an intermission) spends much of its first half world-building. The second half explodes with revelations, tying the mythological past to a futuristic showdown, though it ends on a cliffhanger, priming us for a sequel.
Performances: Giants and Rebels
Amitabh Bachchan steals the show as Ashwatthama, an eight-foot-tall sage radiating gravitas. His digitally de-aged flashback scenes and towering presence in the present make him the film’s emotional and narrative backbone. Prabhas, as Bhairava, brings a refreshing mix of humor and swagger, a departure from his stoic Baahubali persona. His banter with Bujji, a quirky AI droid voiced by Keerthy Suresh, injects levity, though his arc feels underdeveloped by the end.
Deepika Padukone’s Sumathi is a quiet force, her expressive eyes conveying a mother’s resolve, though her role leans heavily on archetype over depth. Kamal Haasan’s Yaskin, despite limited screen time, is chillingly magnetic—his skeletal visage and commanding aura hint at a larger menace to come. Supporting players like Disha Patani (as Roxie) and a slew of cameos—SS Rajamouli, Vijay Deverakonda, Dulquer Salmaan—add flair but often feel like fan service rather than substance.
Direction and Craft: A Visual Triumph
Nag Ashwin’s vision is audacious, melding Dune-like deserts, Blade Runner-esque dystopia, and Star Wars-style action with Mahabharata lore. The production design, from rusted slums to the gleaming Complex, is breathtaking, courtesy of Djordje Stojiljkovic’s cinematography and Anil Jadhav’s art direction. The VFX, while not flawless (some CGI feels rushed), rival global standards, especially in action sequences like Bhairava’s intro fight or Ashwatthama’s showdowns.
Santhosh Narayanan’s score is a mixed bag—epic when it leans into mythology, jarring when it veers into experimental beats. The songs, like the “Bhairava Anthem,” are forgettable, paling against the atmospheric BGM. Editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao keeps the sprawl manageable, though the first half drags with expository lulls and unnecessary subplots (Roxie’s romance, anyone?). The second half redeems this with a pulse-pounding climax, culminating in a Mahabharata twist that’ll make you cheer.
Themes: Faith in a Godless World
Kalki 2898 AD grapples with big ideas: faith versus cynicism, destiny versus choice, and the cost of survival in a broken world. Bhairava’s selfishness contrasts Ashwatthama’s duty, while Sumathi’s unborn child symbolizes hope amid despair. The film’s Indofuturist aesthetic—blending ancient motifs with sci-fi sheen—feels fresh, though its reliance on Hollywood tropes (Matrix-like tech, Mad Max-style chases) occasionally dilutes its originality. It’s less overtly religious than RRR or Brahmastra, focusing on human stakes over divine sermonizing.
The Verdict: Epic Ambition, Uneven Execution
Kalki 2898 AD is a milestone for Telugu cinema, proving Indian filmmakers can craft spectacle on a global scale. Its ambition is its strength: a mythology-infused sci-fi epic that doesn’t shy from complexity. Yet, it’s also its Achilles’ heel. The pacing stumbles, with a first half that meanders and a story that sacrifices character depth for world-building. Prabhas shines but lacks a defining arc; Deepika’s role, while pivotal, feels symbolic rather than personal. The cliffhanger ending, while exciting, leaves too many threads dangling.
Still, the film’s highs—Bachchan’s towering performance, the jaw-dropping visuals, that goosebump-inducing climax—make it worth the ride. It’s not a standalone triumph but a bold setup for what’s next. For fans of sci-fi, mythology, or Telugu cinema’s evolution, it’s unmissable, flaws and all.
Rating: 3.5/5
Stream it on Netflix (Hindi) or Prime Video (South Indian languages), and brace for a sequel. Kalki 2898 AD isn’t perfect, but it’s a giant leap forward—a Telugu epic that dares to dream beyond the stars.
Stream it on Netflix (Hindi) or Prime Video (South Indian languages), and brace for a sequel. Kalki 2898 AD isn’t perfect, but it’s a giant leap forward—a Telugu epic that dares to dream beyond the stars.