Kalki 2898 Promotion Review: A Sci-Fi Spectacle with Mythological Depth

Nag Ashwin's science fiction film, Kalki 2898 Promotion, might not be perfect, but its courage and charm make it worth watching on screen.

Kalki 2898 Promotion Review: A Sci-Fi Spectacle with Mythological Depth

This film delivers everything you'd expect from a sci-fi spectacle: flying cars, advanced weaponry, a villainous ruler, a seemingly selfish but ultimately heroic protagonist, a damsel in distress, and an indestructible protector. These elements are both a blessing and a curse for the film.

Kalki 2898 Promotion Story:

Bhairava (Prabhas) and his AI droid companion, BU-JZ-1 aka Bujji (Keerthy Suresh), are bounty hunters aiming to earn enough units for a better life in the Complex, away from the filthy Kashi. Bhairava may seem selfish, but he's capable of love, despite what Roxie (Disha Patani) thinks. To him, classical music plays in his mind when thinking of the Complex or food.

Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan) has a god complex and rules his realm with an iron fist. Women are seen merely as gestational vessels for the mysterious Project K. SU-M80 (Deepika Padukone) is one of many who might sacrifice her life to complete this project. Meanwhile, Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan) is ready to be reunited with his Shivamani (a gem on his forehead) to heed the call to protect Kalki.

Kalki 2898 Promotion Review: A Sci-Fi Spectacle with Mythological Depth

The rebels and refugees of Shambala, led by Mariam (Shobana - who has an impressive fight scene), believe in the legend of Amma (mother), who will give birth to a child that will set things right in the world. The scales tip when the contrasting worlds of the privileged and the oppressed collide in a society divided by the haves and the have-nots.

Kalki 2898 Promotion Review:

Kalki 2898 Promotion is a visual spectacle that keeps you hooked for 3 hours, only to confirm what you already know. This is both a good and bad thing. On one hand, it's bold of Nag Ashwin to attempt something like this for his third film. He does enough to immerse you in a world where women have no autonomy over their bodies, and men only care about capitalist gains. A world where economic disparity has worsened.

Kalki 2898 Promotion Review: A Sci-Fi Spectacle with Mythological Depth

On the other hand, the film can't escape certain sci-fi and dystopian clichés. Even if a spaceship is named Garuda, it's still a spaceship you've seen in countless sci-fi films before. Eventually, you're not as thrilled by the laser beams from 3D-printed weapons; you want more human drama.

However, Kalki 2898 Promotion presents a compelling mix of mythology and dystopia that generally works. The scenes from Kurukshetra don't feel out of place, as they help piece together the events happening 6000 years later. The first half of the film leaves you wanting more, but the second half accelerates the story, setting up anticipation for future installments.

Amitabh, Kamal Steal the Show:

More than anything, Kalki 2898 Promotion is Ashwatthama's redemption story after attempting to end the Pandava lineage by targeting Uttara's (Malvika Nair) womb with his Brahmastra. Even as Krishna curses him to eternal suffering for his folly, he offers Ashwatthama a chance at redemption. Amitabh Bachchan shines as Ashwatthama.

The fight scenes, especially those requiring extensive VFX or close-quarters combat, are sometimes awkwardly choreographed, giving a staged feeling. However, this is not the case for Ashwatthama's fights. The 8-foot-tall character moves gracefully, even while tearing through enemies. A particular fight sequence between Ashwatthama and Bhairava-Bujji highlights the legendary character's expertise in combat.

This is also the story of Supreme Yaskin and his lust for power. Kamal Haasan may have limited screen time, but he sends chills down your spine every time he's on screen. The film's final moments tease an ominous future. Prabhas and Deepika Padukone deliver proficient performances, with Prabhas even providing comic relief in some scenes. However, it's hard not to focus on the two titans sharing the screen.

Needed More Focus:

Nag Ashwin makes the same mistakes as many directors with a sequel. The film drops hints and expects you to wait a few more years for the next installment to get answers. While the film's prologue featuring Bujji and Bhairava answers many questions about the world of Kalki 2898 Promotion, it doesn't add much to it. It's exciting to see Bhairava's backstory and future, but the runtime could have been tighter.

Kalki 2898 Promotion Review: A Sci-Fi Spectacle with Mythological Depth

It's amusing to see familiar faces making cameos, some of which are entirely irrelevant to the story. Some self-referential jokes might fly over the heads of non-Telugu speakers. Surprisingly, Ashwin delivers the conflict you expect throughout the film, rather than taking the easy way out. But in the end, you can't help but wonder if some of the runtime could have been better spent focusing on the core story and side characters.

Conclusion:

Kalki 2898 Promotion might not be perfect, but its courage and charm make it worth watching. Nag Ashwin excels at depicting human emotions (as seen in Yevade Subramanyam and Mahanati), and this film works for the same reason. While it's fun to see a superhero-style sci-fi film from Telugu cinema pushing the boundaries of what's possible, it works because you care about some of the characters. Hopefully, the sequel will be even better.

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