I had booked tickets in advance for the movie "Kalki 2898 AD," not realizing it would coincide with India's semifinal match. Faced with this dilemma, I decided to go ahead and watch the movie in 3D since each ticket cost 285, and skipping it would be a waste. I figured I could multitask by enjoying the movie on the big screen while keeping an eye on the match on my phone.
The show was the last one of the night, and the theater was packed. It had been a long time since I had seen such a full house. The opening scene, featuring a young Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama in the Mahabharata war, gave me goosebumps. As the movie progressed, it didn't feel like an Indian film. Instead, it felt like a Hindi-dubbed version of a dystopian Hollywood movie.
This film is truly made for the big screen. It crafts an impressive mix by drawing inspiration from history, mythology, and some English novels and films. The setup and treatment are new for the Indian context, so some viewers might find it difficult to connect with it.
The story is heavily inspired by the 2006 movie "Children of Men," with elements of history, mythology, and various Hollywood films mixed in. However, the blend is done right, and I found it quite enjoyable. At times, it reminded me of "Mad Max," and at other times, "Guardians of the Galaxy." The movie was unnecessarily long; with tighter editing, it could have easily been an hour shorter. It took a while for the story and characters to come into their own. The beginning was slow, and about 10% of the audience left the hall early. Among the remaining 90%, around 20-30% were watching the match on their phones while occasionally glancing at the movie, myself included.
The movie is grand, with excellent background music and visual effects. It's a joy to watch. Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama was unparalleled; he overshadowed everyone else in the film. Kamal Haasan had only two scenes but left a lasting impact. It will be fascinating to see him in future films of this universe.
The weak point of the movie, for me, was Prabhas. I had higher expectations from him. The songs also felt a bit weak, lacking the impact of those in "Baahubali." The movie really picks up after the interval, and the last hour is worth every penny. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this universe. Such movies will bring people back to theaters. However, some people I asked afterward said they didn’t quite understand what was happening.
Overall, I had a great time. I got my money's worth, and with India reaching the finals, the taste of victory was even sweeter. The film is good and worth watching in the theater with the whole family. From my side, I’d give it 7.5 out of 10.