'Kalki 2898 AD' Review: Only for Visual Grandeur & Sci-Fi Style Action

Prabhas and director Nag Ashwin have joined forces for 'Kalki 2898 AD,' one of the most expensive projects in Indian cinema. The film has finally hit theaters, and here's our take on this visually extravagant sci-fi thriller.

Movie Details:

Title: Kalki 2898 AD

Star Cast: Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone

Director: Nag Ashwin

Producer: C. Aswani Dutt

Music: Santhosh Narayanan

Run Time: 3 hr 1 Min

Release Date: June 27, 2024

Story:

'Kalki 2898 AD' revolves around Kaasi, the last city on Earth, and Shambala, a rebel city. The inhabitants of Shambala await the rebirth of a god to save them from Yaskin, the supremo of the Complex. Bhairava, a resident of Kaasi, aspires to work in the Complex for a better life, while Ashwatthama seeks moksha by protecting a woman carrying a divine fetus. The plot unfolds with Yaskin's quest for superpowers by injecting a serum derived from a woman capable of holding a fetus for over 120 days. The film's climax reveals whether Yaskin succeeds and how Bhairava and Ashwatthama's paths intersect.

On-Screen Performances:

The film features an ensemble cast, with Prabhas leading as Bhairava. He commands the screen with his presence and fitting look. Deepika Padukone delivers a refined performance in a substantial role. Amitabh Bachchan, portraying Ashwatthama, steals the show with his dialogues and performance. Kamal Haasan's CGI-enhanced look adds to his commendable performance. Supporting actors like Shobana, Rajendra Prasad, and Dulquer Salman play key roles effectively, while cameos by Bhramanandam, Ram Gopal Varma, and SS Rajamouli fall flat. Vijay Devarakonda's brief appearance as Arjuna and Disha Patani's short role leave little impact.

Off-Screen Talents:

Director Nag Ashwin reimagines the Hindu epic Mahabharata with a futuristic twist. The film's early exchanges are slow, but the second half picks up with action-packed sequences. Ashwin's precise translation of his vision to the screen, especially in the latter half, is commendable. Despite underwhelming editing and background music, the top-notch CGI meets Hollywood standards, and the production values are exceptional.

What's Hot:

Visual grandeur in the second half

Amitabh Bachchan's performance

Prabhas' screen presence

Blending of Mahabharata characters

What's Not:

Flat narration in the first half

Lackluster background music

Long run-time

Verdict:

Overall, 'Kalki 2898 AD' is a decent one-time watch for sci-fi action enthusiasts, thanks to its visual grandeur. Despite a weak first half, the director excels in the later stages, and the high-quality CGI sets the mood for a potential sequel.