"Kalki 2898 AD" ventures into the future with a blend of Hollywood-inspired fantasies and Hindu mythology. Directed by Nag Ashwin, this Telugu film, also dubbed into Hindi and Tamil, is rich in visual effects and photorealistic animation reminiscent of video games. Drawing inspiration from "Star Wars," "Blade Runner," "Dune," "The Matrix," and Marvel movies, "Kalki 2898 AD" showcases ambition but struggles to create a unique spectacle.
Prabhas stars as the lead in this 180-minute epic about a prophesied golden dawn, which culminates in a cliffhanger, hinting at a sequel. The story begins with the fate of Ashwatthama from the Mahabharata, presenting a creative take on the epic that surpasses the film's futuristic events set 874 years ahead.
In this dystopian future, desertification has driven most of humanity to the capital city, Kasi. Despite being controlled by the tyrant Yaskin (Kamal Haasan), bounty hunters like the morally ambiguous Bhairava (Prabhas) flourish. Rebels from the outpost Shambala occasionally infiltrate Kasi with surprising ease.
The Complex, an inverted triangle symbolizing control, oversees Kasi. This facility houses fertile women, including Sumati (Deepika Padukone), for mysterious reasons. Sumati's journey intertwines with Bhairava, the rebel leader Mariam (Shobana), and Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan).
The film embraces its derivative nature but misses the essence of dystopian fiction. Themes like righteous resistance and reimagined power structures, central to dystopian cinema, are weakly explored. Instead, the film relies heavily on star power and mythic heroism.
Despite clear nods to Denis Villeneuve’s "Dune," "Kalki 2898 AD" offers little commentary on whether the future will differ from the present. The movie suggests that even centuries from now, hero worship will prevail. A rebel soldier’s gratitude towards Bhairava underscores this notion.
The opposition lacks strength as well. Saswata Chatterjee’s Manas, an enforcer from the Complex, is too comical to be a serious threat. After a sluggish start, unfolding mostly in dark, underlit interiors, the film gains momentum post-interval.
The climactic battle features Ashwatthama’s impressive abilities, with Amitabh Bachchan’s towering presence overshadowing Bhairava. Bachchan’s enhanced baritone and stature add gravitas to his role, highlighting his performance in an otherwise average cast. The supporting cast includes notable actors from southern cinema like Pasupathy, Brahmanandam, and a spirited Anna Ben. Disha Patani plays Bhairava’s girlfriend, who exits early after a brief appearance. Deepika Padukone’s Sumati, although present throughout, has a limited role beyond looking distressed.
Cameos from Telugu directors SS Rajamouli and Ram Gopal Varma add an inside joke referencing the "Baahubali" movies starring Prabhas. However, "Kalki 2898 AD" only serves to remind viewers of Rajamouli’s prowess in localizing and repurposing Hollywood-style spectacle, rather than just borrowing elements.
Overall, "Kalki 2898 AD" is a visual treat with thrilling action sequences but falls short in delivering a compelling narrative. The 3D version of the film adds little value, making it best enjoyed in 2D.