Kalki 2898 AD - Slightly Drawn out but Stunning

 

Movie: Kalki 2898 AD
Rating: 3.25/5

Cast:  Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Rajendra Prasad, Disha Patani, Saswata Chatterjee, Brahmanandam, Anna Ben, Shobana, Mrunal Thakur, Dulquer Salmaan, Vijay Deverakonda, and others. 

Director: Nag Ashwin
Produced By: Aswini Dutt, Priyanka Dutt, and Swapna Dutt 

Release Date: 28th June 2024

Story:

Six thousand years following the Mahabharata war, Yaskin (Kamal Haasan) reigns over the world, causing suffering in the final city, Kaasi. Bhairava (Prabhas), a bounty hunter from Kaasi, aspires to reach the 'Complex,' an exclusive city controlled by Yaskin. Aswatthama (Amitabh Bachchan) from the Mahabharata era is poised to fulfill his duty, leading to an inevitable day. Who is Sumathi (Deepika Padukone)? Why are Aswatthama and Yaskin pursuing her? How is Bhairava connected to all this? Find out the answers in Kalki 2898 AD.

Performances:

In the initial half, Prabhas is allotted a restricted duration on screen; however, his character gradually evolves into an invincible force. Prabhas delivers an exceptional performance as Bhairava in Kalki, leaving no surprise when he subtly alludes to another portrayal of his character in the climax. Also, Prabhas gets a chance to show his fun side after a while in this film. Amitabh Bachchan flawlessly embodies Aswatthama's character, portraying the responsible role with great finesse. His performance effectively conveys the pain and burden of his character, making it genuinely impactful, and his overall portrayal of this crucial role is nothing short of exceptional.

Kamal Haasan's presence is limited for a few scenes, but he immerses himself entirely in the characters he portrays, and his performance as Yaskin is truly captivating, leaving the audience wanting more. Deepika Padukone shines as the story's focal point, delivering a stellar performance, especially in the scenes shared with Aswatthama. The ensemble cast, including Shobhana, Dulquer Salmaan, Vijay Deverakonda, Rajendra Prasad, Brahmanandam, and others, contribute effectively to the film, each handling their crucial roles with finesse. Disha Patani will make a brief appearance for a song.

What worked for the film:

Kalki 2898 AD boasts a magnificent and breathtaking experience with the help of exceptional visual effects. The director had a great vision, and the film also features an outstanding ensemble cast, each actor delivering a stellar performance in their respective roles. The interval episode is skillfully executed and efficiently establishes the groundwork for the latter half. The sequences featuring Aswatthama and Bhairava deliver a powerful impact in the latter part of the film, making the final forty minutes undoubtedly the most compelling. The masterful revelation of  Prabhas's other character at the conclusion was remarkable.

What did not work for the film:

Kalki suffers from ineffective drama in a few places, which affects its emotional moments. The entire track of the Lab experiment in Complex should have been handled better. Also, the dream song sequence of Prabhas—Disha could have been eliminated. 

Kalki 2898 AD Review and Verdict:

Nag Ashwin aims to provide an extraordinary experience through unparalleled grandeur and world-building. He handled the crucial moments successfully but could have done better with the filler scenes. The first half gives a middling feel while raising the anticipation during the initial parts and midpoint. The second half has thrilling action sequences filled with standout visual effects and ends with a terrific climax, a brilliant tease for the second part.