Review: ‘Kalki 2898AD’ – A Visual Extravaganza with a Complex Narrative Matrix
‘Kalki 2898AD’ centers around a simple story set in the future, depicting the arrival of the tenth avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. This narrative is placed within a grand, futuristic setting that spans three hours, offering moments of thrill, confusion, and exhaustion for the audience. The film’s dystopian, mythological science fiction genre boasts an immersive scale, though it is populated with numerous characters and cameos that can be difficult to follow.
Set in the year 2898 AD, ‘Kalki’ transports viewers to Kasi, the last city on a resource-depleted Earth, ruled by Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Hassan) from a structure known as ‘Complex’. Within this setting, fertile girls are captured, including SUM80 (Deepika Padukone). Concurrently, the mythological figure Ashwathama (Amitabh Bachchan) awaits someone’s arrival for his redemption. In the city of Shambhala, another faction is planning an assault, with the formidable bounty hunter Bhairava (Prabhas) caught in the middle.
For fans of intricate world-building, mythological retellings on grand scales, and apocalyptic narratives, director Nag Ashwin’s film is a visual spectacle. The production quality is exceptional, and Amitabh Bachchan delivers a standout performance. Deepika Padukone portrays SUM80 with a fitting personality, while the film features a long list of cameos, including Kamal Haasan, Dulquer Salmaan, Anna Ben, Shobhana, Vijay Deverakonda, Mrunal Thakur, Rajamouli, and Ram Gopal Varma, though not all have substantial follow-through.
The fight scenes between Ashwathama and Bhairava are entertaining, with Amitabh Bachchan’s performance overshadowing that of Prabhas. The film’s humor, particularly in Prabhas’ scenes, often falls flat. Despite creative writing, emotional investment in the characters is lacking. The end credits hint at potential future installments, offering hope for a more developed ‘Kalki’ cinematic universe. If you’re intrigued by the concept, the film is worth a watch, as a stronger sequel might enhance the overall experience.
