Kalki 2898 AD Story

Kalki 2898 AD is an epic mythological science fiction film in the Telugu 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 the year 2898 AD and portrays a futuristic dystopian world plagued by sin, iniquity, and cataclysm.

Story Plot Line

Kalki, a modern-day avatar of Lord Vishnu, who is awakened with the invocation of Ashwatthama. Kalki's mission is to protect the world from the evil forces of Kaali, his nemesis, using advanced technology, armor, and weaponry.

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 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.

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 reveal the official title on July 20th.

Release

Initially planned for a 2022 release, Kalki 2898 AD will finally hit cinemas on May 9th, 2024, with a global release in multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and English.