Mukesh Khanna Criticises 'Kalki 2898 AD' For Messing With Mahabharat Elements, Calls For Review Committee

Actor Mukesh Khanna blasted the filmmakers for changing Mahabharata aspects in the Prabhas-starring 'Kalki 2898 AD'.

Mukesh Khanna criticised the creators of Kalki in 2898 AD. (Image Source: YouTube/Bheeshm International & IMDb)

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New Delhi: Critics have lauded the cinematography of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, a science fiction epic directed by Nag Ashwin and starring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan. Actor Mukesh Khanna, who played Bhishma in BR Chopra's ‘Mahabharat’ series, has spoken out against the film, saying it misrepresents some parts of the Mahabharata.

Mukesh Khanna reviewed the film ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ on his YouTube channel. The film's stunning visual standards, on par with Hollywood classics like ‘Avatar’, and the performances, especially Amitabh Bachchan's, were lauded, but the story choices really bothered Mukesh Khanna.

The actor slammed the makers saying, "One thing that is bothering me is that they have tried to change the mythology in the film. In the beginning, you see Lord Krishna come, and take the gem from Ashwathama's forehead, telling him that he will be my saviour in the future, Lord Krishna never said this. It wasn’t Krishna who removed Ashwatthama’s ‘mani’. I’ve been reading the Mahabharata since childhood; I can tell you that it was Draupadi who instructed that his ‘mani’ should be removed, after he killed all five of her children.”

He added, “The reason I’m telling this story in such detail is because I don’t understand how Krishna could command Ashwatthama to protect him in the future in Kalki? How can someone as powerful as Krishna ask someone like Ashwatthama to protect him? The liberties that you’ve taken are inexcusable.”

Mukesh Khanna has ignited a debate over contemporary cinema's use of mythological content by requesting that a commission review such creative liberties.

He said, “I would like to tell the government to make a committee which can look over the films that are being made on Ramayan, Gita, and other mythological topics and take control over the film's script if needed.”

More about ‘Kalki 2898 AD’

The science fiction film ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ has mythical aspects throughout. Played by Prabhas, the role of Bhairava is a Kashi bounty hunter; SUM-80, a pregnant test victim, is portrayed by Deepika Padukone. The Mahabharata character Ashwathama is brought to life by Amitabh Bachchan. The film's production company, Vyjayanthi Movies, has earned more than Rs 700 in all languages worldwide.