“कल-की बात” Future meets Myth : My quick take on Prabhas’s movie “Kalki 2898”
A film that dares to blend rich Indian mythology with a dystopian future. Who would've thought to create a cinematic universe about the pre-birth phase of Lord Vishnu's tenth avatar? Kudos to Naga Ashwin for transporting us into this supposedly spectacular world of K-Universe.
First off, the movie kicks off with the epic battle of Kurukshetra. Yes, because who doesn't want to start their day with an ancient war scene shot with such brilliance that you might just wish the same team took a crack at the Mahabharat and Ramayan. Maybe that's their next project, who knows?
The budget? A cool 600 crores. And let me tell you, every penny is visible on the screen. From the green screen technology to the VFX & CGI, it's all so well done that it might make Hollywood's finest sci-fi look like a child's drawing. The futuristic mobility vehicles, gadgets, and a dried Ganga bed of Kashi with sand-merged temples – visually, it's a feast.
Now, onto the star-studded cast. Prabhas as Bhairava, a bounty hunter, is simply brilliant, making us forget all about his "Adipurush" hangover. Cameos from Dulquer Salmaan, Vijay Devarkonda, Disha Patani, Ram Gopal Varma, and even Rajamouli – because why not throw everyone in there? Then we have the likes of Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Saswath Chatterjee, and Shobhana, all impressing us in their respective roles.
But the pièce de résistance is Amitabh Bachchan as Chiranjeevi Ashwathama, standing tall (literally) in his 8-foot avatar. Bachchan proves once again why he holds the "Star of the Millennium" title. One might just wish he'd actually become 'Chiranjeevi' and keep entertaining us forever.
Naga Ashwin, the visionary behind this epic, deserves another national award. Sure, the pre-interval section is a bit fluffy (especially Disha Patani's redundant cameo and a forgettable Daljit Doosan song), but the fast-paced post-interval plot and brilliant action choreography make it all worthwhile.
The production values are top-notch. The Kurukshetra battle scene? Out of this world. Kashi on the dried Ganga bed? Stunning. The set designs? I could go on.
Overall, "Kalki" is visually stunning, technically brilliant, beautifully adapted, and packed with powerhouse performances. It's a movie ahead of its time – literally. Don't miss it. Watch it on IMAX or 3D if available.
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