Kalki 2898-AD

"For a better Tomorrow"

2024 2h 56m TE

😐

6.4

MID

★6.4TMDB · 203

DramaActionFantasyScience Fiction

Synopsis

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In the year 2898 AD, around 6000 years after Kurukshetra war, Ashwatthama gears up for his final battle of redemption at the sign of hope in a dystopian world and Bhairava, a wisecracking and self-interested bounty hunter, tired of the perilous life becomes the hurdle in the process.

“For a better Tomorrow”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Amitabh Bachchan
Ashwatthama
Prabhas
Bhairava
Deepika Padukone
SUM-80 "Sumathi"
Kamal Haasan
Supreme Yaskin
Saswata Chatterjee
Manas
Shobana
Mariam
Rajendra Prasad
Rumi
Pasupathy
Veeran

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Nag Ashwin
Writers: Venugopal, Nag Ashwin
Languages: Telugu
Countries: India

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Clocks in at 176 minutes — on the longer side of feature-length cinema.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

MONEY

Did you know

Mid-budget at $75M — the now-extinct middle tier of Hollywood.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 2 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Part of the "Kalki Cinematic Universe" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Nag Ashwin, shot by Đorđe Stojiljković. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Santhosh Narayanan. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Amitabh Bachchan and Prabhas and Deepika Padukone carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Nag Ashwin directs. Đorđe Stojiljković behind the camera. Santhosh Narayanan scores. Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao cuts. A long sit — settle in. Profitable at the box office. Produced in India. Dialogue in Telugu.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Clocks in at 176 minutes — on the longer side of feature-length cinema.
2Mid-budget at $75M — the now-extinct middle tier of Hollywood.
3Released 2 years ago.
4Part of the "Kalki Cinematic Universe" — so the characters or world continue elsewhere.
5Directed by Nag Ashwin, shot by Đorđe Stojiljković. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Santhosh Narayanan. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Amitabh Bachchan and Prabhas and Deepika Padukone carry the top of the cast.
9Marketing tagline: "For a better Tomorrow".
10IMDB entry: tt12735488 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
11Classified under 16 themes, including "rebellion", "hero", "temple", "dystopia".

The technical file

Cinematography: Đorđe Stojiljković
Original score: Santhosh Narayanan
Editing: Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Production design: Nitin Zihani Choudhary
Sound: Raghunath Kamisetty
Runtime: 176 min · 2h 56m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Budget: $75,000,000
Box office: $141,000,000
Return: 188% of budget
Original language: TE
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Kalki 2898-AD (2024)

Part of

Kalki Cinematic Universe

A Telugu-language Indian epic science fiction film series inspired by Hindu mythology, about a select group on a mission to rescue Kalki, the unborn child of lab subject SUM-80.

Also by

Nag Ashwin

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Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

Rohit Kabdwal2024-07-04
Kalki 2898 AD: A Visionary Blend of Mythology and Sci-Fi In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian cinema, "Kalki 2898 AD" emerges as a groundbreaking spectacle that pushes the boundaries of storytelling and visual artistry. Directed by the visionary Nag Ashwin, this ambitious project weaves together elements of ancient mythology and futuristic science fiction, creating a tapestry that is as thought-provoking as it is visually stunning. A Tale Across Millennia Set in a dystopian future, "Kalki 2898 AD" draws its core narrative from the depths of Hindu mythology, specifically the Mahabharata. The film follows the prophesied hero Kalki, played by Prabhas, on a journey to restore balance to a world teetering on the brink of chaos. Ashwin's screenplay masterfully bridges the gap between the ancient and the futuristic, creating a narrative that feels both timeless and urgently relevant. Visual Splendor and Technical Prowess One of the film's most striking aspects is its visual presentation. The production design team has crafted a post-apocalyptic world that is both believable and awe-inspiring. From the gritty, lived-in feel of rebel hideouts to the sleek, oppressive architecture of the antagonist's strongholds, every frame is a feast for the eyes. The visual effects, while occasionally uneven, often reach heights of breathtaking spectacle. Scenes of futuristic cityscapes and epic battles showcase the film's ambition and the technical capabilities of Indian cinema. Santhosh Narayanan's score complements the visuals perfectly, adding emotional depth and excitement to key moments. Star-Studded Performances The cast of "Kalki 2898 AD" reads like a who's who of Indian cinema, and for the most part, they deliver. Prabhas brings a mix of intensity and vulnerability to Kalki, though his character development feels somewhat uneven across the film's runtime. Deepika Padukone shines in her role, bringing strength and emotional resonance to her character. However, it's Amitabh Bachchan who steals the show with a commanding performance that anchors the film's more philosophical moments. Kamal Haasan's appearance as the antagonist Yaskin is brief but impactful, leaving audiences wanting more. Ambitious Storytelling with Room for Improvement While the film's ambition is commendable, its execution occasionally falters. The pacing in the first half can feel sluggish, with some scenes stretched beyond necessity. The narrative complexity, while intriguing, sometimes verges on convoluted, potentially leaving viewers struggling to keep up with the intertwining plotlines. However, the film hits its stride in the final act, delivering a series of revelations and set pieces that are truly exhilarating. The climax not only provides a satisfying conclusion to the immediate story but also tantalizes with hints of a larger cinematic universe to come. A New Benchmark for Indian Cinema Despite its flaws, "Kalki 2898 AD" represents a significant leap forward for Indian cinema. Nag Ashwin's vision in blending mythology with science fiction opens up exciting new possibilities for storytelling in the industry. The film's willingness to tackle complex themes and its technical achievements set a new benchmark for what is possible in Indian filmmaking. Conclusion "Kalki 2898 AD" is more than just a movie; it's an experience. While it may not be perfect, its ambition, visual splendor, and the questions it poses about destiny, technology, and the cyclical nature of good and evil make it a must-watch for fans of both Indian cinema and science fiction. As the first installment in what promises to be an epic saga, "Kalki 2898 AD" lays a foundation that leaves audiences eagerly anticipating what's to come. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars Bold, ambitious, and visually stunning, "Kalki 2898 AD" heralds a new era for Indian cinema, blending mythology and futurism in a way that's never been seen before on the silver screen.
CinemaSerf2024-07-10
★ 7/10
The mythology that underpins this is a fascinating combination of humanity and adventure that director Nag Ashwin presents entertainingly - if maybe a little haphazardly - here. We start with a battle from history where the defeated "Ashwatthama" is condemned to a life of fruitless immortality. His only chance of redemption will come when he is called upon to protect an unborn child - the final reincarnation of Vishnu. At this point we don't know when this will happen, nor what these dangers might be - but skip forward six thousand years and we find a world where the planet is under the control of the "Complex". An alien looking enterprise that is systematically robbing the planet of it's nutrients and minerals under the control of the "Supreme Yaskin" (Kamal Haasan). Things are especially perilous times for women capable of childbearing as they are being genetically manipulated to produce a serum from their foetus that is implanted into "Yaksin" to grant him his own form of (tube free) immortality. Meantime, we are introduced to the legendary bounty hunter "Bhairava" (Prabhas) who has something of the "Han Solo" to him, and who is working to get the million credits required to get into the "Complex". There is one further enigma amongst all of this ordered chaos. She is "Sum 80" (Deepika Padukone) as she is pregnant - and naturally, too. Needless to say she is much prized by the "Complex" but after some careful planning, she manages to escape the clutches of it's scientists and make a break for "Shambala" where legend has it, she will give birth to a very special baby. In hot pursuit is the malevolent commander "Manas" (Saswata Chatterjee) who has mobilised an whole army of unsavoury types to track her down - and with a prize of 5 million for the person who delivers her, well "Bhairava" is soon in on the chase too. If he can help this woman, perhaps "Ashwatthama" can fulfil his destiny? Now this is long, and at times it loses it's way a little with the oddly positioned entertainment numbers spliced into the drama, but for the most part - particularly after the interval - this is quite an action packed hybrid of Hindu folklore combined with elements of "Dune" (especially much of the scoring), "Avatar" and featuring a guest appearance from "Skeletor's" big chair from "Masters of the Universe" towards the end. I wouldn't have said the acting is all that remarkable, but Prabhas provides a charismatic effort, the dialogue generally works efficiently and the production design is creatively effective at mixing the futuristic with the ancient. There's no getting away from it's reliance on CGI, and that doesn't always work, but the story is sound and clearly designed to give us more down the line as the ancient gods line up against the pillagers of the planet - with the very future of mankind to play for.
YearOneFun2024-07-14
★ 1/10
Kalki 2898 AD is copy & paste scenes from Mad Max + Star Wars + Dune + Blade Runner 2049. The budget of this movie is 600 crores & still it has worst VFX. And let's not forget that the lead actor of this movie Prabhas still can't act to save his life. This movie has very weak & generic story, screenplay is pointless, and totally cringe/amateur acting from lead actor. Enough with the too many slow-motion scenes. Too many pointless cameos. Kalki 2898 AD is totally disappointment. Don't Waste your money on this. Kalki 2898 AD is another "Miss Fire" for Prabhas! END OF DISSCUSSION!