Kalki 2898 AD review: Nag Ashwin’s dystopian fever dream is as epic as it gets

Movies By Srivathsan Nadadhur Jun 27, 2024 Read the article

Kalki 2898 AD borrows the aesthetic and the tropes of a dystopian superhero film and integrates it with the epic Mahabharata, establishing a solid context for a viewer to invest in.

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The ‘unconventional hero’ character is relatable and ideally tailored to Prabhas’s strengths—a laidback, rebellious protagonist without a cause.

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Taking a leaf out of Salaar: Part 1–Ceasefire (2023), Nag Ashwin demands Prabhas’s stately, larger-than-life presence, and passive heroism to generate an aura around his role.

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Nearly a dozen other colourful characters are introduced within the first hour and it’s to Nag Ashwin’s credit that they don’t feel like bouncers.

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The story is intentionally ‘basic’ (in a good way), and you remain constantly aware of its trajectory. The world-building is organic and the stakes are raised gradually.

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Deepika Padukone plays an expectant mother with the right gravitas and grace. Being the film’s primary emotional link, her portrayal holds the film together.

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Amitabh Bachchan is an ideal casting choice for Ashwatthama. An unidentifiable Kamal Haasan delightfully lets himself loose in a brief cameo.

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There’s so much that the film packs in beyond the ‘good versus evil’ tale, utilising ‘amma’ sentiment minus the flab and melodrama. Drop everything, and savour this spectacle.

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