With Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan, and Kamal Haasan in the lead roles, the much awaited movie Kalki 2898 AD has finally arrived in theaters and is receiving overwhelmingly great reviews. This cinematic wonder, directed by Nag Ashwin, centers on a contemporary avatar of Lord Vishnu who comes to Earth to battle evil forces. Prabhas’ spectacular entrance in particular drew tremendous acclaim during the film’s US theater premiere.
Reviews on social networking sites have been overwhelmingly positive in the beginning. A user on X said, “Excellent opening half. Intriguing plot and unparalleled visuals have never been seen in an Indian film before. Even though Prabhas plays a charming role with limited screen time, the storyline is generally terrific.” “Prabhas and Nag Ashwin have made history,” said an ecstatic spectator. The movie is thrilling during the first thirty minutes.” A third person tweeted, “Pre-interval 30 minutes of the film confirm that #KALKI2898AD is not just a hit but a guaranteed blockbuster.”
Adding to the praise for X, an international cinema journalist called Kalki 2898 AD “outstanding” and a “visually magnificent sci-fi experience” that brought to mind Mad Max and Blade Runner. He lauded Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani’s performances and emphasized the epic combat sequence between Prabhas and Amitabh Bachchan.
With more than 19 lakh tickets sold throughout India, the movie appears to have a bright future at the box office. Trade analysts forecast a local opening of more than Rs 100 crore, with the possibility of surpassing the Rs 200 crore milestone worldwide. Over 15 lakh tickets were sold in Telugu alone, according to Sacnilk.com, which contributed significantly to the Rs 50 crore from advance sales.
Reactions from the public are still coming in, and they are mostly positive but not uniform. One spectator praised Nag Ashwin and the team for their outstanding job and expressed amazement at the Hollywood caliber of the production. One reviewer called it a “masterpiece,” complimenting the pictures and the intriguing plot but pointing out that the screenplay was a little flat. With great appreciation for the visual effects and overall production excellence, Kalki 2898 AD has won over moviegoers who were let down by Prabhas’s earlier films, despite some misgivings.
Not every review, though, is positive. A few reviewers thought the movie was a letdown. One spectator called it a “disaster,” slamming the acts and the story. Another critic referred to it as a “total mess” and a “heartbreak for Prabhas fans,” pointing out the ill-executed script and superfluous appearances.
Despite conflicting reviews, Kalki 2898 AD is a major milestone in Indian cinema history thanks to its ambitious plot and stunning visuals.
