Kalki 2898 AD Movie Review and Rating

Kalki 2898 AD is a Telugu science fiction film directed by Nag Ashwin and produced by C. Aswani Dutt under Vyjayanthi Movies. Set in a post-apocalyptic world in the year 2898 AD. It is the first instalment of the planned Kalki Cinematic Universe. Kalki 2898 AD was released worldwide on 27th June 2024 in standard, IMAX, 3D, and other formats in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada & Malayalam.

Star Cast:
Prabhas as Bhairava and Karna (dual role)
Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama
Deepika Padukone as SUM-80 alias Sumati
Kamal Haasan as Supreme Yaskin
Saswata Chatterjee as Commander Manas
Anil George as Counsellor Bani
Disha Patani as Roxie
Keya Nair as Raia
Rajendra Prasad as Rumi
Shobhana as Mariam
Brahmanandam as Rajan, Bhairava’s landlord
Pasupathy as Veeran
Anna Ben as Kyra
Malvika Nair as Uttarā
Harshith Malgireddy as Luke
Kavya Ramachandran as Lilly
Ayaz Pasha as Ajju
Keerthy Suresh as Bujji’s voice

Cameo Appearances:
Vijay Deverakonda as Arjuna
Mrunal Thakur as Divya
Dulquer Salmaan as Bhairava’s guardian
S. S. Rajamouli as a bounty hunter
Ram Gopal Varma as Bhairava’s friend
K. V. Anudeep as a dancer in the Complex
Faria Abdullah as a dancer in the Complex
Srinivas Avasarala as Bhairava’s proposed buyer

MOVIE REVIEW: Kalki AD 2898 is one of the most anticipated projects of the year, combining Indian mythology with futuristic filmmaking to create a unique concept of mythological science fiction. Directed by Nag Ashwin, the film ambitiously explores this genre fusion but ultimately falls short of being a groundbreaking film. While the music could have been better, the background score is undeniably impactful. The screenplay struggles to maintain momentum, though the editing is good, and the VFX are top-notch. Despite its flaws, Kalki AD 2898 offers a unique and compelling experience, unlike anything seen in Indian cinema, leaving the audience eager for the next installment.

With a runtime of 181 minutes, the first half is dedicated to setting up the story. Unfortunately, it drags with many dull scenes and lacks high points, making it slow and boring. Most of the attempted humor falls flat, and many portions appear stretched. However, the second half improves, culminating in a strong 20-minute climax. The visuals are extraordinary, and the action sequences between Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan are brilliantly choreographed, forming the highlight of the film. Their face-off in the climax are delight for action lovers.

Prabhas delivers an impressive performance, showcasing his real potential. However, it is Amitabh Bachchan who truly shines. As Ashwatthama, the oldest human alive from the Kurukshetra war, Bachchan’s screen presence, dialogue delivery, and overall performance are outstanding. Kamal Haasan’s limited screen time is impactful, while Deepika Padukone, Saswata Chatterjee, and Anil George perform well. Disha Patani’s role feels wasted, and while some cameos are good, others could have been better.

Kalki AD 2898 Movie Rating:
Direction 3/5
Acting 3.5/5
VFX 3.5/5
Story 2.5/5
Screenplay 2.5/5
Overall Hit ya Flop Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars (Good)

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