Kalki 2898 AD is a Telugu-language epic sci-fi action film written and directed by Nag Ashwin. It delivers a daring mix of Mahabharata-inspired mythology and bleak futuristic sci-fi, set in a devastated world on the brink of collapse.
Released in 2024, Kalki 2898 AD feels less like a routine big-budget film and more like a clear statement of intent. With a reported budget of over ₹600 crore, it stands as the most expensive Indian film to date, and every frame shows where that money went. The story blends ancient Hindu lore with a dark, dystopian future in a way that feels both respectful and risky.
The film is set in the year 2898 AD, where Earth is dying, and humanity survives in the last city, Kashi, which hangs upside down over the ruined planet. This world is ruled by a cruel god-king, Supreme Yaskin, who lives in a vast floating pyramid called the Complex. Into this brutal order walks Bhairava (Prabhas), a bounty hunter with Hanuman-like strength and agility, and SUM-80 (Deepika Padukone), a pregnant test subject who may be carrying the Tenth Avatar of Vishnu. The story fully leans into its mythic stakes.
Kalki 2898 AD Visual Effects That Finally Live Up To The Hype
For years, Indian viewers have seen glossy trailers with big claims, only to get half-baked CGI in the final film. Kalki 2898 AD finally breaks that pattern. The visual effects are consistently strong and often jaw-dropping.
The upside-down skyline of Kashi, the peaceful, hidden sanctuary Shambhala, the twisted Raia mutants, and the spectacular, ar divine moment in the third act all come together to build a world that feels huge and believable.
Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), along with Indian studios like Red Chillies VFX and Makutdeliversver, work that stands comfortably beside many mid-budget Hollywood blockbusters. The much-discussed robot car “Bujji” works surprisingly well in the story, coming across as both fun and charming. The action scenes, especially the highway chase and the showdown inside the Complex, are easy to follow, well-staged, and genuinely exciting.
Performances: Prabhas Finds His Form Again
After the disappointment of Adipurush, Prabhas needed a strong comeback, and Kalki 2898 AD gives him exactly that. As Bhairava, he plays a vain, money-minded mercenary who slowly discovers a higher purpose. He brings back the easy charisma of Baahubali, with streaks of sarcastic, almost Deadpool-style humour that land better than expected.
Amitabh Bachchan, as the eternal warrior Ashwatthama, anchors the film emotionally. With his towering presence, heavy prosthetics, and weary intensity, he becomes the beating heart of the story. His confrontation with Supreme Yaskin ranks among the most spine-tingling scenes of the year.
Deepika Padukone does some of her best recent work as SUM-80, a woman who believes she is carrying hope for all of humanity. Her performance is restrained, vulnerable, and quietly strong. Kamal Haasan, as the sinister Yaskin, appears only briefly but leaves a lasting impression. His unsettling look and cold eyes hint at a far more terrifying presence in the upcoming sequel.
Where The Film Falters
A project on this scale was never going to be flawless. The first hour feels slightly overstuffed as the script juggles multiple storylines, dense world-building, and heavy exposition. The comic bits involving Bhairava’s bounty-hunter crew, including characters played by Saswata Chatterjee and others, often clash with the grim tone of the larger story.
Some dialogue leans too hard on explaining the plot, and a few of the mythological details, such as the years or references to the Kali Yuga countdown, may feel confusing to those unfamiliar with the Puranas. Santhosh Narayanan’s background score works fine in the film, but very few themes really stick in the memory, which is surprising given his usual high standard.
The Cameo Parade: Crowd-Pleaser Or Distraction?
Kalki 2898 AD is packed with surprise appearances from big names. Vijay Deverakonda, Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur, Keerthy Suresh, and even director SS Rajamouli all show up at different points.
For the most part, these cameos feel like fun nods to fans and help build the sense of a wider “Kalki universe”. Vijay Deverakonda, in particular, leaves a strong impression in limited screen time. A couple of appearances, though, do feel slightly forced, as if they exist mainly to trigger whistles and applause rather than to serve the story.
A New Standard For Indian Sci-Fi
What Kalki 2898 AD achieves is rare. It shows that Indian cinema can mount a massive, original sci-fi saga rooted in mythology without feeling like a copy of Western films. The influence of titles like Dune is clear, from the desert settings to the chosen-one storyline, but the film never feels like an imitation.
It is proudly Indian in its ideas and imagery, drawing openly from the Mahabharata and Vishnu Purana, while still aiming for the visual impact of an IMAX blockbuster. When the end credits rolled on opening day, the loud cheers were not only for the wickedly timed cliffhanger, but also for the sense that a proper Indian sci-fi universe had just been launched.
The excitement around Part 2 is real and very well earned.
Verdict: 4.25/5; a little clumsy in places, but grand, ambitious, and often breathtaking. A landmark moment that delivers the kind of spectacle Indian audiences have been promised for years.
Cast and Crew
Kalki 2898 AD brings together a powerhouse cast from across Indian cinema:
| Role | Actor/Actress | Notable For |
|---|---|---|
| Bhairava | Prabhas | Main bounty hunter, star of the Baahubali films |
| Ashwatthama | Amitabh Bachchan | Immortal warrior, legendary Hindi cinema icon |
| Supreme Yaskin | Kamal Haasan | Main antagonist, Tamil cinema legend |
| SUM-80 / Padma | Deepika Padukone | Pregnant lab subject carrying a divine secret |
| Upamanyu | Disha Patani | Ally and fellow bounty hunter |
| Additional cameos/voices | Dulquer Salmaan, Vijay Deverakonda, Mrunal Thakur, Keerthy Suresh | Key figures who expand the larger mythos |
- Director: Nag Ashwin (Mahanati)
- Music: Santhosh Narayanan
- Cinematography: Djuro Phalic
- Production banner: Vyjayanthi Movies
- Runtime: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Rating: PG-13 (for strong action and intense themes)
Production And Release
The project was first announced in February 2020 under the working title Project K. After delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, filming finally began in July 2021. The movie was shot largely at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad over a period of about three years, with the main shoot wrapping in late May 2024.
Kalki 2898 AD is planned as the foundation of a wider “Kalki Cinematic Universe”. The team placed heavy focus on large-scale visual effects that could compete with popular Hollywood sci-fi titles such as Dune and Mad Max. One of the stand-out ideas is “Bujji”, Bhairava’s AI-controlled vehicle, which was created with support from Mahindra engineers and quickly became a fan favourite.
The movie was first scheduled for a 9 May 2024 release, but the date was pushed to 27 June to allow extra time for post-production. Promotion included a grand teaser launch at Ramoji Film City on 22 May 2024, followed by the reveal of the “Theme of Kalki” track in Mathura on 23 June.
When it finally hit cinemas, Kalki 2898 AD opened to huge anticipation, strong word of mouth, and massive box office numbers. It crossed ₹1,000 crore worldwide and secured its place as one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
The Big Vision
Nag Ashwin approaches Kalki 2898 AD as a long-term saga. With its mix of sci-fi, religion, and superhero-style action, the film builds the base for stories that stretch across thousands of years of in-universe history, from the Mahabharata era to the far future.
The cost, scale, and attention to world-building mark a major step up for Indian genre cinema. The Complex, Kashi, Shambhala, Bujji, and the various factions feel designed to support multiple films, spin-offs, and extensions. Part 1 spends much of its time setting up this universe, which explains both its rich detail and its occasional pacing issues.
Visual Brilliance That Matches The Ambition
From concept art to finished frames, Kalki 2898 AD looks like a film that has been carefully planned. The costume design mixes rustic, myth-inspired outfits with rugged sci-fi armour and gear. The production design gives each location a strong identity, whether it is the bleak, resource-starved Kashi or the peaceful, almost spiritual feel of Shambhala.
The CGI is not flawless, but it is far above what Indian mainstream audiences are used to. Key moments, like the appearance of a divine entity in the climax, or the massive aerial views of Kashi and the Complex, carry real weight on a big screen.
Performances And Character Arcs
Bhairava’s journey from selfish survivor to reluctant hero gives the film its main dramatic arc. Prabhas balances comedy and intensity, and his chemistry with Bujji adds welcome warmth.
Ashwatthama’s centuries-long guilt and burden give the story its emotional depth. Amitabh Bachchan sells both the tiredness of an immortal man and his fierce protectiveness. Deepika Padukone’s SUM-80 is not just a vessel for prophecy; she comes across as human, frightened, and determined.