Kalki 2898 AD Review: Amitabh Bachchan Outshines Prabhas, Deepika Padukone in Nag Ashwin’s Modern Mahabharata

Kalki 2898 AD: A Review

Story & Setting

Kalki 2898 AD takes place thousands of years after the Mahabharata. The story follows Ashwatthama, cursed by Krishna to live forever. In the film, Ashwatthama waits for the year 2898, when a woman named Sumati will give birth to a reincarnation of Krishna. Ashwatthama must protect her until he can reclaim a powerful gem stolen by Krishna.

The movie takes us to a dark and desperate future version of the holy city of Kashi. The once sacred place is now filled with suffering people. This dark setting creates a stark contrast to the traditional view of Kashi.

Slow Start, Action-Packed Finish

The beginning of the film can feel slow. There are long introductions and scenes that seem to drag on. This might make some viewers impatient. However, the movie picks up speed in the second half. The action intensifies, the plot thickens, and things become much more exciting.

Humor or Not?

The movie tries to add humor in some parts, especially with the characters Bhairava and Bhuji. However, this humor doesn’t really fit with the rest of the film. Kalki 2898 AD is a serious movie with dark themes, and the comedy feels out of place. It disrupts the dramatic flow of the story.

Spectacular Visuals and Sound

The movie’s music is fantastic. It perfectly matches the emotions of each scene and makes the story more impactful. The visual effects (VFX) are also amazing. They are creative and well-done, helping to bring the futuristic world to life.

The Cast

Amitabh Bachchan is outstanding as Ashwatthama. His performance is powerful and captivating. He completely embodies the character’s intensity and determination.

Prabhas starts out a little weak due to the awkward humor in the first half. But in the second half, he transforms into a serious action hero. His best scenes are the battles with Ashwatthama, where he goes head-to-head with Bachchan in a thrilling display of acting power.

Deepika Padukone plays Sumati, the woman destined to give birth to Krishna. While her character is important, the movie doesn’t give her enough to do. Deepika doesn’t get to show off her full acting talent.

Kamal Haasan plays a mysterious character named Supreme. He brings a unique quality to the film and leaves a lasting impression despite having limited screen time.

Surprise Guests!

The movie has some fun cameo appearances from other famous Indian actors. Vijay Deverakonda, Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur, and even director S.S. Rajamouli all make short appearances that add a bit of extra excitement. Disha Patani also has a cameo, but it’s very brief and feels like a missed opportunity.

Final Thoughts

Kalki 2898 AD is a creative reimagining of the Ashwatthama story. It mixes mythology with modern ideas to create a fresh cinematic experience. The acting, especially from Bachchan and Prabhas, is excellent. The visuals and music are top-notch as well. However, the slow beginning and misplaced humor hold the movie back a bit. Overall, Kalki 2898 AD is a visually stunning and entertaining film with a great story, but it could have been even better with some improvements to the pacing and humor.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars