In the distant future of 2898 AD, Kalki unfolds in a world filled with chaos, where the enigmatic Supreme Yaskin (played by Kamal Haasan) desperately needs a serum that can only be extracted from a fertile woman. The central plot delves into the reasons driving this necessity, the intense conflict between Bhairava (portrayed by Prabhas) and Ashwatthama (portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan), and their ultimate clash over the character of Sumathi (played by Deepika Padukone).
It is quite surprising that Prabhas’s character, Bhairava, has a significantly shorter duration. A Star hero who gives importance to the script more than his image is an appreciable thing. Prabhas’s character is similar to Sivudu from Bahubali as it has a fun touch and action. He did his best and delivered what was required. Amitabh Bachchan’s portrayal of Ashwatthama stands out as the key highlight of the movie. His on-screen charisma and acting prowess truly elevate the film, as his agility and energy on screen make it easy to forget his age. Kamal Hassan appears for only a few scenes, and though his character is not fully etched, he shows the impact. Deepika Padukone plays the most crucial character in the film, and her screen presence is imposing. Coming to the performance, she made her presence felt with a few effective dialogues.
Disha Patani’s portrayal of Roxie may not leave a lasting impression, yet she surprisingly receives a significant amount of screen time. Kalki 2898 AD showcases a talented ensemble of actors who fit very well. Rajendra Prasad and Shobhana exhibit commendable acting. It is a pleasant sight to witness Brahmanandam sharing the screen with Prabhas, although their humorous exchanges are only present for a few moments. Pasupathy, the Tamil actor, fulfills his role effectively, while Mrunal Thakur, Vijay Deverakonda, and Dulquer Salmaan appear in short roles. Anna Ben, the Malayalam actress, impresses with a Mad Max-style action sequence. Saswata Chatterjee, a Bengali actor, seamlessly fits into his character. Keerthy Suresh’s voice-over for Bujji is executed decently, adding a cheerful touch to the film. Rajamouli’s playful interaction with Prabhas is hilarious.
The movie commences with Amitabh portraying Ashwatthama, immediately capturing our focus, and the concise background of the characters introduced subsequently leads into the exploration of three realms: Kasi, Complex, and Shambala. The interlink between these three worlds is very intriguing, but one can feel the confusion as so much is happening. Because of this, the emotional impact lessens, but the interval sequence raises the curiosity towards the latter part. The film’s second half is the real game changer, with almost all scenes working and the final episode being spectacular.
The latter part of Kalki steals the show. It primarily emphasizes action and succeeds for the most part. Above all, despite the lengthy action sequences, they are invigorating with exceptional technical quality. The film culminates towards the conclusion, providing the essential cinematic thrill and demonstrating the remarkable feats that a star like Prabhas can accomplish through skillful execution in action. The finale, featuring his portrayal in another avatar, is powerful and truly impressive. Also, as mentioned above, the first half’s initial and interval episodes genuinely meet the expectations.
Nag Ashwin is widely regarded as an authority in emotion and drama but disappoints with a superficial execution in this instance where action dominates. Had the drama regarding the Sumathi and her importance to the world been on par with the action, the overall experience could have reached a new level. A prime example of this is the portrayal of the lab concept involving women, which is of utmost importance but is presented half-heartedly.
Rating: 3.5/5
Last Line: Kalki 2898 AD – A Spectacular experience with a few perishable parts
