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Kalki 2898 AD Movie Review: Kalki – the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who will be born somewhere in the distant future for the salvation of mankind, is a myth. 'Kalki 2898 A.D.' is based on the mythological story.
Director Nag Ashwin's 'Kalki-Katha' takes shape in the year 2898 when the earth had turned into an abyss, Ganga had dried up, mankind was almost destroyed. All the remaining humans live in thousands or millions in 'Kashi', the first and now the last city in human history. There is no equality. The poor are lying in the dust and the rich are dancing in the air.
The new concept has taken something from all the films
This concept may seem new in the context of Indian films, but many such 'post apocalyptic' films have been made globally. The plot is woven in the context of Mahabharata, but the theme, cinematography, characterization, VFX, background music, action choreography, all have been copied. Nothing is original. This three-hour long film has been prepared by taking something or the other from 'Star Wars', 'Dune', 'Mad Max', 'Mortal Engines', 'Guardians of the Galaxy', 'Transformers' and 'Bahubali' films.
first half
The film has several hair-raising scenes before the interval. Scenes where not only the three lead actors but also the supporting cast are dragged for too long! The boring first half is filled with unnecessary cameos. Guest actors like Dulquer Salmaan and Mrunal Thakur are woven well into the story, but there was no need for a scene with Ram Gopal Varma.
It wouldn't have mattered if SS Rajamouli (director of Baahubali) was replaced by a mixed actor in that role. The entire track with Disha Patani is rubbish and unnecessary. The portion before the interval could have easily been shortened by half an hour.
The action scenes and VFX are the most fun
The film stalls a bit after the interval as the fight begins. The action scene between Bachchanbabu and Prabhas is the most fun. The VFX are good throughout the film. The rest of the technical aspects like cinematography, BGM, set designing, costumes are also attractive to look at. There are only two songs in the film but both are rubbish.
Terrible dialogues in Hindi dubbing
The dialogues are terrible. The Hindi dubbing is good, but if the writing is good, it will do! The banter between Prabhas and his tech-assistant tries very hard to make people laugh, but doesn't land a single punch. The dialogues are so weak that even a Brahmanand like Brahmanand is not able to bring a small joke on the tongue of the audience.
Prabhas's average performance
Prabhas, who has an average acting talent, is average here too. Deepika remains a sad-strong woman throughout the film. Very average acting. Shobhana and Saswata Chatterjee are fine. Kamal Haasan impresses despite appearing in only two scenes. Amitabh Bachchan is very good in the role of the eight feet tall Ashwatthama. His body, his costume, his deep voice… everything is exaggerated. If the second half of the film is bearable, it is because of the action and Bachchan sir.
No scene touches the audience
The biggest flaw is that nothing in 'Kalki' touches the audience. All the action, sets, pomp and show seems as if it has been seen somewhere before. Characters come, fight and die. But the audience does not feel sad about anyone's death. Deepika's character is at the center of the story, but the audience does not feel her sorrow. Such weak characterization! When there is no connection, how can a film and its characters reach the heart?
It would have been fun if writer-director Ashwin Nag had paid a little more attention to the script, and done something new in the presentation like the story. There was a possibility of a spectacular show like 'Bahubali', but alas…
'Kalki' is not a flop-show like 'Adipurush', but while those who have watched all the Hollywood movies mentioned above will be disappointed, others might like it.