New Delhi: 'Kalki 2898 AD' is Nag Ashwin's grand directorial dream coming true on June 27, 2024. 'Kalki 2898 AD' boasts of a stellar cast including Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan and Disha Patani. This epic sci-fi film blends science fiction in a deeply rooted Indian mythology template with the mix and masala of a mass entertainer.
As the film is only a day away from release, here is everything to know about the Prabhas starrer:
Kalki plot
'Kalki 2898' heavily draws from the Hindu text Mahabharata. From the title which was first mentioned in Mahabharata as the final and tenth earthly incarnation of Vishnu to Amitabh Bachchan playing the role of Ashwatthama, 'Kalki 2898 AD' is Mahabharata reprised.
At Synapse 2024 in Gurgaon, filmmaker Nag Ashwin shed light on the plot of 'Kalki 2898 AD'. He said, "Our film starts in Mahabharata and it ends in 2898. That’s the title of the film, it’s called ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. It spans 6,000 years of distance and time. So, trying to create worlds that are there here, imagining what it could be like, still keeping it Indian and not make it look like a ‘Blade Runner.’”
Nag Ashwin has suggested that Mahabharata's core themes-Dharma and Karma will be rimagined and presented in a manner that corresponds with the futuristic angle of the film and the complexity of moral values in it.
Which actor is playing what part in Kalki 2898 AD
Prabhas: Bhairava, the bounty hunter
Amitabh Bachchan: Ashwatthama
Kamal Haasan: God King Yaskin
Deepika Padukone: Sumanti, or SUM-80, a fertile lap species
Disha Patani: Roxie
Keerthy Suresh: Buji ( Voice)
Anna Ben: Kyra
Saswata Chatterjee: Commander Manas
SS Rajamouli: Cameo
Kalki 2898 AD budget
Mounted on a budget of Rs. 600 cr, 'Kalki 2898 AD' is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. A lot of visual work has been key to the film, including the highly-talked about and publisised futuristsic car-Bujji.
Speaking to Deadline, Prabhas shed light on the budget of the film and stated, "The whole film is made for international audiences. That’s why it’s the highest budget and we’ve got the best actors in the country.”
Will Kalki 2898 AD have a sequel
While Nag Ashwin has called his magum opus 'Kalki 2898 AD' the sequel to Mahabharata, there is no confirmation about the film having a sequel.
In which language will Kalki 2898 AD be released in
'Kalki 2898 AD' will be released in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English and Kannada. The pan-India release has also broken several advance booking records.
Kalki 2898 AD advance booking
'Kalki 2898 AD' has also broken the advance sales records. As per industry tracking site Sacnilk.com, the film has sold over 1.4 million tickets for a total of Rs. 38 cr ahead of its release on Thursday. The total figure in advance sales is expected to be over Rs. 50 cr. Sacnilk.com also anticipated that its big global outreach and marketing plan ewill help bring in Rs. 180 to Rs. 200 cr with a home release of Rs. 120 cr and Rs. 140 cr as its opening collection.