Kalki 2898 AD Review: Yet Another Milestone Film in Tollywood’s History!

Being the biggest production from Telugu cinema, I approached Kalki 2898 AD with no expectations, considering its ground-breaking scale in production, visuals, story, stellar cast, and the possibility of everything going wrong, especially since the movie deals with a genre blend never seen before on the Indian big screen. Watching the movie with an open mind, I found myself blown away and mostly impressed, despite a few shortcomings in writing and execution. So, let’s discuss!

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Taking place 6000 years after the Kurukshetra War in a post-apocalyptic world, I was curious about how writer-director Nag Ashwin would blend sci-fi and mythology with his usual commentary on social issues and changing human behavior, as he did in his debut feature, Yevade Subramanyam. To my surprise, he manages to make an almost impossible task possible, nearly acing through most phases while setting up his world, sprinkling in a bit of comedy, a lot of action, and narrating a story unfamiliar to Indian audiences.

For that reason, the blend of two distinct genres sometimes caused the pacing to feel a bit off, with the story jumping from one episode to another between Bhairava in Kashi and SUM-80 in the Complex during the first half. Another major complaint I have with this film is that it missed the emotional connection, as characters come, go, and even die very frequently, which did not have much of an impact on me as a viewer.

But the real strength of Kalki 2898 AD, in my opinion, lies in its visuals. After a couple of viewings in theaters, I can confidently say they are the best ever projected on the Indian screen. Imagining and executing a world 874 years into the future within a decent budget, building practical sets, and crafting each frame meticulously is a wondrous milestone achieved by Nag Ashwin and his team. Especially, production designer Nithin Zihani Choudhary, renowned for his fantastic work in Tumbbad (2018), did a remarkable job creating an authentic world while building something very unique to the eye in every way.

Accompanying the production design, the visual effects in the film also deserve special applause for achieving near-flawless results within a limited budget, resembling the VFX in a typical Hollywood summer blockbuster. Although Prabhas’ film from last year, Adipurush, was heavily criticized for its horrible visual effects, Kalki 2898 AD completely changed the perception that Indian VFX-heavy films can’t look good on-screen within a year.

Santhosh Narayanan’s background score were impressive as he crafted unique compositions rather than following current trends. Each primary character had a distinct theme, blending diverse musical cultures from Mongolian throat singing to Asian music, African congo drumbeats, and modern electronic music. He excelled with various instruments, giving the film a unique sound. However, my only complaint is the music’s execution in the film, as it was often cut abruptly. For example, in the second-half fight sequence, the score frequently shifted from Bhairava’s theme to Bujji’s theme to Ashwatthama’s theme, diminishing its impact.

The performances from the lead cast were outstanding. Prabhas was at his best, portraying a stubborn, free-flowing, and sarcastic character whose life’s purpose is to reach the Complex. This movie gave him the freedom to showcase his comedic skills, reminiscent of his Bujjigadu days. Amitabh Bachchan, with his towering screen presence, delivers a remarkable performance and often carries the movie as an angry giant. Deepika Padukone plays a very important role in the film, but her character, at least in the first part, allowed her to showcase only a limited range of her acting skills. The same goes for Kamal Haasan, who looks terrifying as Supreme Yaskin.

Overall, Kalki 2898 AD is yet another milestone in Telugu cinema’s history, pushing Indian cinema forward in terms of scale, storytelling, production, and more, much like Baahubali did in the mid-2010s. Despite a few flaws, the film’s concept, ambition, and the immense effort behind its making deserve high praise and applause. It is a proper entertainer and a must-watch on the big screen, showcasing the potential and grandeur of Indian filmmaking.

‘Kalki 2898 AD’ Rating – 3.5/5