#SpoilerAlert: An epic journey with a stellar cast and thrilling climax, make Kalki 2898 AD a must-watch

The stakes couldn’t get any higher for a film touted as the country’s most expensive film to date. We're talking about the Nag Ashwin-directed Kalki 2858 AD, which had a staggering ₹600 crore budget. Maybe that's what it takes to create a film that meets international standards and captivates audiences, much like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC films, or is as awe-inspiring as the three standout VFX films from India: the two Baahubali movies and RRR.

Yes, the film is expected to be a box-office hit, and will most likely give its makers ROI. According to reports, the film earned a gross ₹180–200 crore worldwide on its opening day. But the face of Indian cinema has changed slightly. Films with a good story and intelligent storytelling have earned and entertained more, even if they were made on shoestring budgets or with non 'big-ticket' names. So if the numbers didn’t matter there, should we even talk about box office collections? We think not. We'll leave you to be the best judge of affairs.

The thing about Kalki is that it’s good, but not great.  

Pan-India representation vs. too many cameos

The harsh truth is, for a large number of audiences, it's still the actors on the posters and promotional videos that draw them to the theatres. The bigger the name, the higher the chances of them watching the movie. The makers of Kalki 2898 AD have pulled out all the stops to ensure that audiences across the country find their favourite star in this film. Deepika Padukone and Amitabh Bachchan lead the front for the Hindi film industry. Disha Patani and Mrunal Thakur have cameos. Director Ram Gopal Varma, too, makes an appearance. Legends Prabhas and Kamal Haasan, along with young heartthrobs, Dulquer Salmaan and Vijay Deverakonda from South India join the party, too. Saswata Chatterjee represents West Bengal along with some Punjabi flavour in the form of Diljit Dosanjh, who lends his voice to the Bhairava Anthem. In essence, there’s something for everyone to savour.

 

While the names are nothing short of spectacular, it’s important to remember that too much of a good thing can be bad. This is evident in the film, as not all of these spectacular talents deliver in their limited screen space or add much to the narrative. It’s one of the major reasons why the film is three hours long. 

The staging and performances have its ups and downs

Be it any language, when it comes to mass entertainment, having whistle-worthy entry scenes for the actors is a basic expectation. This is one of the film’s biggest drawbacks. With everything about Kalki 2858 AD being larger-than-life, Prabhas’ entry was underwhelming, to say the least. 

As far as the performances go, Bachchan is by far the best part of the film. The Shahenshah of Bollywood has a commanding screen presence as Aswatthama and shines throughout the film. Padukone pours her heart into this one, delivering just the right emotions. Prabhas, on the other hand, shines only towards the end. A special mention goes to Sawata Chatterjee, who is menacing as the no-nonsense villain who obeys no rules.

Last, but certainly not least, it’s Kamal Haasan, who is terrific in his cameo and takes your excitement to the next level ahead of the next installment.

There's a new Khaleesi in town

If you thought we'd leave out Deepika Padukone, we were saving her for the last. And there's good reason for that. The actor has once again left audiences in awe with her performance in the film. Along with many fans saying that she's the soul of the film in a film that's packed with action right from the first scene to the last, a scene of hers that's right before the interval has seen her draw comparisons to Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones with the actor being hailed as Khaleesi. Displaying her baby bump, Padukone appears in a scene where she emerges unscathed from the flames that left all watching in awe.  

A tale of two halves

As the end credits roll, one might feel like they just watched two films. While the visuals are remarkable, the first half fails to make an emotional connection with the audience or even appear linked to the second half of the film. Props to director Nag Ashwin, who dares to dream big, blending an apocalyptic world with the Mahabharata. That said, it does take a lot of time (it may seem like forever) for the wheels to move. While the film has a fantastic start with the legendary battle of Kurukshetra, it dips and drags on for no reason, making you wish the first half were 30 minutes shorter. Thankfully, the pre-interval scene makes up for it.

The climax featuring Prabhas, Bachchan, and Padukone will keep you on the edge of your seat, making you wish that the first half maintained the same consistency. What’s more, the events leading to the film’s second installment couldn’t set things up any better for what lies ahead. 

All things considered, Kalki 2898 AD is a decent film, thanks to its impactful ending. A faltering first half and being 20 minutes too long are why the film doesn’t score the perfect 10, something that the two Baahubali films and RRR managed to do. 

All images: @treeshulmediasolutions

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