Genre: Science Fiction
Director: Nag Ashwin
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Disha Patani
Kalki 2898 AD (2024) Movie Review: Shorter Version
In the year 2898 AD, the desertified city of Kasi stands as the last bastion of humanity, ruled by a totalitarian elite. The god king Supreme Yaskin, perched atop a hovering inverted-pyramidal megastructure known as the “Complex,” wields absolute power. Against this dystopian backdrop, “Kalki 2898 AD” weaves a tale that spans millennia, from the events of the Mahabharata to the distant future.
The film’s most obvious strength lies in its visual prowess. Director Nag Ashwin, along with cinematographer Djordje Stojiljkovic, transports the audience into a stunning world. Kasi, the lone surviving city, is a dark place where fertile women are killed, and men are enslaved. The visuals capture this bleakness and grandeur effectively. The CGI, especially during the aerial sequences, is commendable.
The narrative revolves around the arrival of Kalki, the tenth and final avatar of Lord Vishnu. Prabhas portrays Bhairava, a rebel who becomes the beacon of hope. Deepika Padukone’s SUM80, the awaited avatar, adds intrigue. However, the film suffers from unnecessary subplots and detours, especially in the first half. Attempts at comedy fall flat, and Prabhas’ character lacks depth.
Amitabh Bachchan’s powerful punches and Kamal Haasan’s enigmatic presence shine. However, the ensemble cast, including Disha Patani, doesn’t get enough screen time to leave a lasting impact. The Cameo list is huge. However, "Kalki 2898 AD" stumbles under the weight of its own ambition. The complex narrative, spanning vast stretches of time, can be difficult to follow at times. But the clear winner apart from Amitabh Bachchan are the supporting cast pulling the entire movie. Kudos to Brahmanandam, Rajendra Prasad, Shobana, Pasupathy, Saswata Chatterjee, Anna Ben, Harshith Reddy, Ayaz Pasha.
Ashwin sets the stage for a massive cinematic universe rooted in Hindu mythology. “Kalki 2898 AD” serves as a pre-cursor to future installments, promising more epic battles and intriguing characters. The film’s background score, composed by Santhosh Narayana adds emotional weight to pivotal scenes. The dialogues, though occasionally melodramatic, convey the struggle and hope of the characters effectively.
While the film offers a unique audio-visual experience, it requires patience. If you’re open-minded and appreciate sci-fi mythological dramas, give it a watch. Just don’t expect a traditional hero-centric story.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ out of 5 Stars
What do you think? Did "Kalki 2898 AD" live up to the hype? Share your thoughts and reviews in the comments below!Let's get a discussion going!
Yorumlar