Nag Ashwin’s “Kalki 2898 AD” presents a captivating blend of futuristic science fiction and the timeless epic, the Mahabharata. This visually stunning film, featuring cutting-edge special effects that redefine the boundaries of Indian cinema, has captivated audiences.
Adding intrigue to the film’s narrative are a series of well-placed cameos by Mrunal Thakur, Vijay Deverakonda, and Dulquer Salmaan. However, the most talked-about character remained shrouded in secrecy until the film’s release: Lord Krishna.
Prior to the premiere, speculation ran rampant about the actor portraying Lord Krishna. Rumors even hinted at a digital recreation of the legendary Telugu actor Sr. NTR. The role ultimately went to acclaimed Tamil theater actor and trainer Krishna Kumar, also known as KK. Despite his face being obscured throughout the film, KK delivered a powerful performance that resonated with viewers. He took to social media platform Instagram to express his profound honor at playing such a significant character.
Set in the dystopian metropolis of Kashi, the film follows Bhairava (played by Prabhas), a tenacious bounty hunter seeking to infiltrate the Complex ruled by the tyrannical Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan). The narrative intensifies with the introduction of Ashwattama (Amitabh Bachchan), who embarks on a relentless pursuit to locate SUM-80 (Deepika Padukone) and her child. Bhairava’s mission to apprehend SUM-80 becomes increasingly complex as he encounters Ashwattama and a multitude of formidable adversaries.
“Kalki 2898 AD” boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, and Deepika Padukone in leading roles. The film is further bolstered by the presence of Disha Patani, Saswata Chatterjee, Brahmanandam, Pasupathy, Anna Ben, Shobana, Harshith Malgireddy, Rajendra Prasad, and Keerthy Suresh (voice-over).