“A Cocktail That Is Familiar And Yet Offers Something New”: Kalki 2898 AD Reviews Out (image@Kalki2898AD)
The most anticipated Prabhas and Deepika Padukone starrer Kalki 2898 AD released today. Helmed by Nag Ashwin, the sci-fi film features Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bhachchan and Disha Patani in key roles. Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan’s role was revealed in the recently released two-minute and twenty-second trailer. He plays a sage in the Nag Ashwin directorial.
Apart from the star casts, the movie also featured a series of blockbuster cameos including Dulquer Salman, Vijay Deverakonda and Mrunal Thakur.
Kalki 2898AD can be taken as a blend of Indian mythology and the dystopian action style of Mad Max: Fury Road. The film is based on the concept of Kalki, the prophesied tenth avatar of Vishnu in Hindu mythology.
According to Hindustan Times, the film is everything fans expected it to be. There are flying vehicles, sophisticated weapons, an evil overlord, a selfish but ultimately kind-hearted hero, a damsel-in-distress and a seemingly indestructible protector, which proves to be the film’s boon and bane, said the review.
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Kalki 2898 AD is the kind of visual spectacle that keeps you hooked for 3 hours only for you to confirm what you already know, said Hindustan Times. The review said the film is a heady mix of mythology and dystopia that works for the most part.
Times of India said that Kalki 2898 AD begins with a gripping depiction of the aftermath of the Mahabharata war, when Lord Krishna cursed Aswathama with immortality. This sets the stage for a fictional narrative within a star-studded cinematic universe, deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. According to the review, the biggest and most obvious strength of the film is the writer’s use of his imaginative prowess and transports the audience into a visually stunning world.
The review said the film is a simple story thrown in a complex web of too many characters and sub-plots, some of which have little to do with the broader narrative. TOI said that Kalki is undeniably a larger-than-life visual spectacle that transports viewers into a vividly imagined universe.
As per India Today review, Kalki 2898 AD, with its futuristic ideas coupled with Hindu mythology, the film will surely blow your mind, just like ‘Baahubali’ did. The review said though the story of Kalki started off on a slow note, turns into an intriguing one once the filmmaker introduces the world he has built.
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The media outlet opined that the first half of the film is a bit underwhelming. It said the director gave into the cinematic liberties and added many scenes which actually don’t add value to the story. Nag Ashwin could have also added a bit more drama to make it impactful. While the emotional arc worked towards the climax, it could have been incorporated right from the beginning. India Today concluded the review by saying that Kalki 2898 AD is a visual extravaganza that gives you goosebumps, especially during the action sequences.
The News Minutes called Kalki 2898 AD “a cocktail that is familiar and yet offers something new”. The review called the film a dystopian world technology is advanced but human have to struggle for water and fresh air. It points out that inspirations for the film ranges from Dune (2021), to The Handmaid’s Tale (1990), and noted that the director artfully blends these ideas within the framework of Hindu mythology.
The review said while the deft writing sets up the premise well, the production design overwhelmingly gives a distinct Hollywood vibe. The armour, the architecture, the weapons, the vehicles – they all trigger a sense of déjà vu, said the reviewer.
News Minute concluded the review by saying that the film has a cogent screenplay that makes the audience stay focused. It said part 1 does its job in arousing the curiosity for part 2, which is ‘good enough for an ambitious franchise’.
According to Timeline Daily review, the film, which is based on the concept of prophesied tenth avatar of Vishnu in Hindu mythology, incorporates other mythological elements from Indian epics, carrying both utopian and dystopian themes in a cinematic adaptation with a decent use of VFX.
The review observes that the dystopian elements of the Kalki narrative in the movie are significant. It also noted the biggest enemy of the film to be its ambiguity of what is happening on the screen. Names of places, people, and times are introduced without much context, leaving the audience to piece together the comical and disjointed elements presented. The review noticed that in the mad rush to bring multiple elements to the screen with a massive star cast, the maker of Mahanati and Kalki seems to have lost that touch of detailed portrayal in the latter.
