"Kalki 2898 AD" is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language epic science fiction film directed by Nag Ashwin. The movie, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani, is set in a post-apocalyptic world and takes inspiration from Hindu mythology. The story revolves around the quest to protect the unborn child of SUM-80, who is believed to be Kalki, the 10th and final reincarnation of Vishnu. The film serves as the first installment in the Kalki Cinematic Universe and explores a dystopian world ruled by a god-king named Supreme Yaskin.
The plot begins by referencing the Mahabharata, where Ashwatthama is cursed by Krishna to wander the Earth and witness humanity's suffering during the Kali Yuga. Fast forward to 2898 AD, where the last known city, Kasi, lies in ruins under the oppressive rule of Yaskin, who seeks immortality. In this world, fertile women are forced into an experiment called Project K, aiming to develop a life-extending serum for Yaskin. No woman has survived the experiment, and the prophesied arrival of Kalki looms as a threat to the rulers of this society.
Amidst this, a young girl named Raia, disguised as a boy, escapes conscription into the project and finds refuge in the hidden city of Shambhala. She encounters Ashwatthama, who has been living in isolation, and unknowingly returns his divine gem, Shivamani. Together, they embark on a journey to find the mother of Kalki, SUM-80, who is hiding her pregnancy within the Complex, Yaskin's megastructure. She is eventually discovered but is rescued by Shambhala rebels and renamed Sumathi.
As the story progresses, Bhairava, a bounty hunter with a supercar, pursues Sumathi and the rebels. Ashwatthama learns of Sumathi's unborn child and intervenes to protect her. Despite Bhairava’s efforts, Ashwatthama's divine powers help them reach Shambhala safely. However, Bhairava disguises himself as Ashwatthama to trick Sumathi, leading to a battle where it is revealed that Bhairava possesses Karna's legendary bow, Vijaya Dhanush. Bhairava undergoes a superhuman transformation and defeats Yaskin’s forces.
In the film’s climax, Yaskin uses the serum extracted from Sumathi's unborn child, partially gaining Kalki’s powers. Armed with Arjuna's bow, Gandiva, Yaskin vows to reshape the world and capture Sumathi and her child. The stage is set for an epic battle between the forces of good and evil as the film teases future installments in the Kalki Cinematic Universe.
Kalki 2898 AD Theatrical release poster |
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| Director | Nag Ashwin |
| Writer | Nag Ashwin Rutham Samar Sai Madhav Burra B.S. Sarawanga Kumar |
| Producer | C. Aswani Dutt Swapna Dutt Priyanka Dutt |
| Starring | Amitabh Bachchan Kamal Haasan Prabhas Deepika Padukone Disha Patani |
| Release Date | 27 June, 2024 |
| Running Time | 181 Minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Telagu |
| Budget | ₹600 Crores |
| Box Office | est. ₹1,100 Crores |
