Kalki 2898 - AD Story

Kalki 2898 AD is an epic mythological science fiction film in the Indian language, written and directed by Nag Ashwin. Produced by C. Aswani Dutt under Vyjayanthi Movies, the movie stars a stellar cast, including Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Disha Patani, and Pasupathy. Shot simultaneously in Telugu and Hindi, the film is set in 2898 AD and portrays a futuristic dystopian world plagued by sin, iniquity, and cataclysm.

Story Plot Line

The story takes place after the episode in the Mahabharata war where Ashwatthama, overwhelmed by the deceit following the declaration of "Ashwatthama Hata: Kunjaraha," (Ashwatthama, the elephant, is dead) uses a powerful weapon on Abhimanyu's pregnant wife, Shashirekha. Krishna curses Ashwatthama for this act, telling him that he will find redemption in the future only when someone saves him, after which he will be liberated from his curse.

Six hundred years later, in the regions around Kashi (Varanasi), a battle for the future unfolds involving Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan), Bhairav (Prabhas), Sumati (Deepika Padukone), and Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan).

Bhairav, who leisurely roams around with his vehicle Bujji, finds himself embroiled in this conflict. What is Supreme Yaskin's Project K, and why does it require sacrifices of women including Sumati? What is the nature of the battle between Yaskin's empire, the complex, and the region of Shambhala? What is Bhairav doing in Kashi? How does Sumati escape the tightly guarded complex to meet Ashwatthama? Who is Bhairav, who came for Ashwatthama? Does Ashwatthama get liberated from his curse? Why does Yaskin want to hunt Sumati, who has escaped? The answers to these questions form the story of the movie "Kalki 2898 AD." 

Pre-Production And Development

The film's development and production journey had its share of challenges. Announced in February 2020, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of Vyjayanthi Movies, the production faced a year's delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming began in July 2021 at a futuristic set built at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad.

With a staggering budget of ₹600 crore, Kalki 2898 AD stands as one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. Santhosh Narayanan composed the music, Djordje Stojiljkovic handled the cinematography, and Nitin Zihani Choudhary served as the production designer.

Casting

The film's ensemble cast includes renowned actors from different film industries, making it an eagerly anticipated project. Deepika Padukone marks her Telugu cinema debut, and Amitabh Bachchan features in a significant role. Disha Patani also joins the cast, making her return to Telugu cinema. 

Cameo Appearances

Several top celebrities made cameo appearances in Kalki 2898 AD. Here's a list of the actors and their roles: Vijay Deverakonda as Arjuna, Mrunal Thakur as Divya, Dulquer Salmaan as Bhairava's guardian, Director S. S. Rajamouli as a bounty hunter and Bhairava's rival, K. V. Anudeep as a dancer in the Complex, Srinivas Avasarala as Bhairava's proposed buyer, and Ram Gopal Varma in a special role as well.

Filming

Pre-production required high-end technology and futuristic vehicle development, and businessman Anand Mahindra's support was sought for this purpose. The team erected an impressive futuristic set in Hyderabad, enhancing the film's visual appeal.

Initially, A. R. Rahman was approached to compose the music, but Santhosh Narayanan eventually took on the role. The film's unique shooting schedule, with breaks between 7-8 days each month, allowed for meticulous preparation of the gadgets and property used in the sci-fi film.

Principal photography commenced in July 2021, with a target of completing filming by January 2023. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the production timeline extended, and some scenes were still being shot in March 2023.

Marketing

The film's marketing received a boost when it was announced that a panel featuring key cast members, including Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan, and Nag Ashwin, would be held at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2023. The panel showcased a glimpse of the film and revealed the official title on July 20th.

Kalki 2898 AD Hits Theaters Worldwide

Originally slated for a 2022 release, the science fiction film Kalki 2898 AD finally arrived in theaters on June 27th, 2024.  The film boasts a global release, hitting screens in multiple languages including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and English.

Kalki 2898 AD OTT Platform and Release Date

Prabhas' sci-fi epic, Kalki 2898 AD, has garnered a fantastic response from its theatrical release. According to reports, the film's digital streaming rights have been acquired by the popular OTT platform, Amazon Prime Video, for a substantial sum. The movie is expected to be available on the platform approximately eight weeks after its theatrical run concludes.