Kalki 2898 (2024): Impressive Visuals, Lackluster Emotions

Kalki 2898 marks a significant milestone as India’s first large-scale science fiction film, creating an entirely new world akin to Hollywood productions. The film ambitiously combines a dystopian future with Indian mythology, a concept that seems fitting for the title, referencing Lord Vishnu’s Dasavatharam. However, while the plot is intriguing, the screenplay, especially in the second half, feels tiring. Acknowledging the ambitious effort in Indian cinema, Mangoidiots gives Kalki 2898 a Ripe rating.
Amitabh Bachchan is a delight to watch, portraying a towering 8-foot warrior with his usual charisma. Prabhas delivers a competent performance in a role that feels familiar. Deepika Padukone, though limited in this first part, is convincing in her portrayal. Kamal Haasan’s role is introduced in Part 1, with more expected in the sequel. The extensive use of green screens and virtual production is evident, and the VFX work in creating new worlds is commendable.
The film, however, borrows heavily from well-known dystopian movies like Elysium (2013), Blade Runner 2049, and Star Wars, minus the aliens. While the wastelands, flying vehicles, and holograms are well-executed, they offer nothing new for fans of the genre.
One significant drawback is the lack of emotional connection with the characters, making them appear distant from the audience. Despite this, the film is a visual treat and should be watched in theaters (will get released in Amazon Prime Video) to fully appreciate its 3D effects and dark hues.