Das CH
Das CH
The film gives you an instant high, thanks to Amitabh’s younger role. His massive presence, coupled with Nag Ashwin’s vision, sets the right tone for the film. The story later introduces drama in a futuristic world with Rajendra Prasad’s character, and the buildup puts us on the right track. For a moment, you forget it’s a Prabhas film and get immersed in Nag Ashwin’s world.
It’s an understatement, but Prabhas, despite his limited screen time, seems out of place with his late appearance and lack of impact except for his comedic skills until the massive interval track.
Deepika’s scenes are crucial to the plot, featuring a few ups and downs until a massive interval twist with a devotional touch.
Last but not least, the legendary actor Kamal Haasan. His presence so far is limited to about 10 minutes, but his introduction takes us into a whole new world. Along with his looks, his thundering body language and stunning appearance will be major talking points.
Overall, the lengthy runtime tests our patience, but it’s worth the ticket price. The first 20 minutes, Kamal Haasan’s scene, and the interval block are enough to satisfy our expectations for the money we’ve spent on the ticket.
2nd half Report: Average
Well! After the massive setup through the first half, this seems to be a bit disappointing. Though it starts off well with Anna Ben’s enticing cameo, few action episodes were top class, and the massive climax followed by post-credit scenes were outstanding. However, everything else falls short, mostly feeling dragged and not living up to the scenes showcased in Shambala, except for a couple of high moments.
For starters, it’s advisable for fans and audiences alike to be prepared that this is not a film that depends heavily on Prabhas. Unlike “Salaar,” where he has a late appearance and fewer dialogues, “Kalki” feels lacking in impact except for the main shots of the film, namely the interval block and the climax.
For Bachchan fans, this film would be a treat as he takes on a powerful role. The same goes for Deepika, though her role is a mix of dull and high moments. It feels lagging at times during the complex scenes and especially in Shambala.
Regarding the cameos, there are many interesting ones, with particularly impressive from Rajendra Prasad, Mrunal Thakur, RGV, Rajamouli, and Anna Ben. Disha’s appearance, however, feels unnecessary and time-consuming; it could have been trimmed.
As for the director’s capability, he transports us into a whole new world. Some shots are very impressive, matching Hollywood standards while balancing the taste of South Indian filmmaking. The Mahabharata scenes and also particularly those involving Kamal Haasan, are marvelous.
The interval and climax give massive goosebumps, with the interval episode being particularly noteworthy. It’s a unique experience that we haven’t seen in South Indian cinema before.
For comic addicts like me, despite feeling the vibes of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Avengers: Endgame,” and “Black Panther,” some scenes may feel familiar, but they still engage us as we go with the flow of the story.
Overall Verdict: The showdown between Prabhas and Kamal Haasan is set for the next part of this extended universe. For this film, I would call it Nag Ashwin’s introductory world with a meaningful vision that has potential for further exploration. However, caution should be taken regarding the runtime. It’s a great attempt from the makers, though it’s uncertain how Prabhas fans will react to his short appearance. We’ll have to keep an eye on the response.
“Nag Ashwin’s visual spectacle includes a precautionary measure”
