Directed by: Nag Ashwin
Screenplay by: Nag Ashwin
Dialogues by:Sai Madhav Burra,Nag Ashwin
Story by:Nag Ashwin
Produced by:C. Aswani Dutt
Starring:Prabhas,Amitabh Bachchan,Kamal Haasan,Deepika Padukone,Disha Patani,Brahmanandam
Cinematography:Djordje Stojiljkovic
Edited by:Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao
Music by:Santhosh Narayanan
Production
company:Vyjayanthi Movies
Distributed by:AA Films,Sri Venkateswara Creations
Release date:27 June 2024
Languages:Telugu,Hindi
Nag Ashwin wrote and directed Kalki 2898 AD, an Indian epic dystopian science fiction action film. Produced by C. Aswani Dutt under Vyjayanthi Movies, the film was mostly produced in Telugu, with few portions re-shot in Hindi. Inspired by Hindu texts, the film takes place in a post-apocalyptic world in 2898 AD. Prabhas plays the major role in the film, which also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Disha Patani, and Brahmanandam.
Once again, director Nag Ashwin’s story-telling skills are revealed through Kalki 2898 AD. The story building in the first half lags a bit and takes some time, but Nag Ashwin’s vision and technical superiority sustain the first half. The first half is the cornerstone of Kalki Cinematic Universe; the director gives the right picture to the audience by blending three world and characters, mythology, and the flaws in the narration.
The second half gives a peak movie experience. The Prabhas-Amitabh clash, the vfx, and the emotional angle make the second half perfect. The last 45 minutes, which can be said to be the soul of the movie, give the audience a great movie experience. Kalki led the movie universe and was impressive. Undoubtedly, the mythology part was better than the science fiction part. Mythology adds new dimensions to Link characters.
SS Rajamouli’s presence in surprise cameos made theatres laugh. Keerthy Suresh’s bujji voice made the rounds with his presence. The appearances of Vijay Devarkonda, Dulquer Salman, Mrunal Thakur, and Ramgopal Varma had only minimal impact.
Prabhas- ‘s performance in Kalki 2898 AD can be described as his recent best. Prabhas also handled the fun part well. Kalki belongs to Amitabh Bachchan rather than Prabhas. Nag Ashwin has presented Amitabh in a manner reminiscent of his glory days.
Deepika, Parambrata Chatterjee, Pasupathi, and Shobhana have done their part well. Kamal Haasan limited the screen space. The post-credit scene was a real on screen impact of Ulaka nayakan.
Disha Pattani’s role was not only wasted, but it was also the weakest portion of the movie.
The role played by the cameraman Djordje Stojilijkovic -art director Anil jadav- Santhosh shetty duo in making Nag Ashwin’s imagined world possible on the screen is not small. One of the best visuals Indian cinema has seen on screen, Kalki’s VFX rivals Hollywood.
achieving elevation in high moments while maintaining musical quality Santhosh narayan fails.MM Keeravani’s loud, elevated Bgm misses in the climax elevation scenes. The action sequences were not given enough attention in the first half, but the visionary director Nag Aswin managed to make up for it in the second half and brilliantly choreographed by action directors King Solman, Peter Hein, Andy Long, Anbariv and Nick Powell.Two Amitabh-Prabhas Face of Scenes is a testimony to the said vision.
Bottomline
A sci-fi mythological visual extravaganza lacks emotional connection but still manages to entertain with some high moments, a spectacular second half, and a climax!!
