One of the most talked-about movies of the year, Kalki 2898 AD, is gearing up to release this Friday. The film has been the talk of the town ever since its announcement for various reasons, including multiple delayed release dates, cast speculation, plot details, an expansive budget, and more. Before viewers see this magnum opus, here’s everything you need to know.
Kalki 2898 AD: What is the release date?
Director Nag Ashwin’s ambitious project, Kalki 2898 AD, is gearing up to hit theaters on June 27, 2024. This highly anticipated film has generated significant buzz since its announcement.
Blending Indian mythology with a futuristic dystopian setting, the film promises a never-before-seen cinematic experience. The first teaser was unveiled at San Diego Comic-Con, making it the first Indian film to do so. “The whole film is made for international audiences,” said Prabhas, emphasizing the film’s grand scale and global appeal.
Kalki 2898 AD is speculated to be a sci-fi retelling of the story of Kalki and the end of the Kali Yuga of Hindu mythology. The story spans a remarkable 6,000 years, from the Mahabharata era to the year 2898 AD. Director Nag Ashwin explains, “The film starts with Mahabharat and ends in 2898 AD. It spans 6000 years in time. We tried to create worlds, imagining what they would be like while still keeping it Indian.”
The film merges Indian mythology with a dystopian vision, avoiding comparisons to Western sci-fi like Blade Runner. The latest trailer offers a glimpse into this intriguing world, featuring a Shiva Linga and the character Ashwatthama (played by Amitabh Bachchan) declaring, “The time has come.” This line hints at the arrival of Kalki, the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu, destined to end the current age of darkness.
The trailer further reveals a world where advanced technology and ancient beliefs coexist. Bhairava, played by Prabhas, is shown navigating a complex environment where he must capture SUM-80, a character portrayed by Deepika Padukone.
The plot thickens with Ashwatthama’s involvement, who seems determined to protect SUM-80, indicating a deeper, more intricate storyline. However, the makers have kept Kalki 2898 AD’s plot shrouded in mystery.
Kalki 2898 AD cast: Prabhas, Deepika Padukone & more
Prabhas will feature as Bhairava, a bounty hunter. Amitabh Bachchan plays Ashwatthama, while Kamal Haasan takes on the role of the supreme leader, Yaskin. Deepika Padukone’s character, SUM-80, is believed to be Kalki’s mother. Disha Patani plays Roxie, adding to the stellar ensemble.
The cast also includes Rajendra Prasad, Shobhana as Mariam, Saswata Chatterjee as Commander Manas, Brahmanandam as Rajan (Bhairava’s landlord), Pasupathy as Veeran, Anna Ben as Kyra, Harshith Malgireddy, and Keerthy Suresh as BU-JZ-1, aka Bujji. Kalki 2898 AD is primarily shot in Telugu and will be released in five languages, embodying the pan-Indian film trend.
Furthermore, the film reportedly has a total runtime of over three hours, divided into two parts. The first half runs for 1 hour, 34 minutes, and 5 seconds, while the second half is slightly shorter at 1 hour, 26 minutes, and 57 seconds.
With a budget of $71 million, Kalki 2898 AD is the most expensive Indian film to date. The advance bookings reflect the anticipation, with fans purchasing over five lakh tickets for the opening day, grossing $1.9 million.
The Telugu version leads the way, followed by the Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam versions. Internationally, the film has also generated significant buzz, selling over 1,25,000 tickets in North America alone.
Kalki 2898 AD is gearing up to be a groundbreaking film that combines the richness of Indian mythology with a bold vision of the future. As the release date approaches, the excitement continues to build, promising a cinematic experience like no other.
