Being a devout admirer of creativity and intelligence, I find conventional, run-of-the- mill content exceedingly placid and unpalatable. It’s exceptionally rare to encounter a product that piques your interest and is impetus in getting one’s creative juices flowing, especially when it has the potential to pierce through one’s consciousness stimulating artistic expression.
I write this open letter to the entire team behind this quintessential, spectacular, blockbuster of a masterpiece ‘KALKI 2898 AD’, for it is undoubtedly one of the finest products ever produced on Indian soil. This colossal cinematic achievement is in a class of its own, elevating the standards with its impeccable vision, innovation, narrative, screenplay, cinematography, performances, action sequences, VFX, production, and direction, pulverizing stereotypes and setting a new benchmark for excellence in Indian Cinema.
Nag Ashwin, I can’t thank you enough for creating and helming an astounding piece of art that will be forever etched in the annals of Indian Cinema. Hats off to your indomitable audacity and relentless pursuit, for in its wake you brought to life that which is impossible to conceive and believe. I’m sure you must be running so high on creativity for only then does the call of creation bears and impregnates its seed for expansion and growth.
I was utterly amazed and taken aback by the proficiency in execution and the art of storytelling from the very first frame to the last. There were no wastages as every shot was structured seamlessly and justified, keeping in mind the time required to establish characters, the dystopian cityscape, the complex, the intricate sets of Shambala, etc. resulting in an impeccably executed narrative.
So aesthetic and realistic are the frames – I’d call them vignettes – that one is immediately transported to experience the atrocities of tyranny in the city of Kashi, a dystopian world where basic rights of people are mutilated and violated causing insurmountable grief and agony. Waiting are the inhabitants for their saviour, who will free them from the shackles of pain and guide them on a voyage of peace and hope. There was not a single dull moment, as an audience member, I was glued to my seat witnessing on screen what I believe is history in the making!
Such was the impact of your movie that it slowly and gradually gnawed at my consciousness, with certain montages lingering and replaying in my mind, rendering me helpless, and unable to ignore them. Watching an evening show and then staying up late to pen down a poem is a testament to the exceptional body of work you’ve presented. Congratulations to your indestructible conviction – you truly nailed it!
A movie of such magnitude can only come to existence when backed by a formidable production house that firmly believes in a visionary concept and is willing to go the extra mile to invest without any scruples to create an epic.
Plot – Unparalleled – a true masterstroke, for it takes a mastermind to weave a sci-fi dystopian story based on the epic mythology – Mahabharata. Every detail is meticulously sketched to perfection and I’d wholeheartedly recommend everyone to experience this marvel on the big screen at their nearest theatre; a cinematic experience that cannot be missed.
Performances – Who am I to rate the craft of the stalwarts, legends, veterans of Indian cinema – Mr Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama and Mr Kamal Hassan as Supreme Yaskin? They delivered flawless performances in their respective roles, and no one could have portrayed these characters better than they did.
Mr Amitabh Bachchan shines and was brilliance personified, dominating each and every frame with his outstanding, yet subtle performance – undoubtedly the highlight of the movie.
Mr Kamal Hassan was par excellence and gave chills whenever he appeared on screen. His presence was electrifying, and I cannot wait to see him in action in the next installment.
It’s difficult to maintain screen space, especially when sharing it with the legendary Mr Amitabh Bachchan. However, kudos to Prabhas for holding his ground and matching wits with the effable legend. What a persona, your transition from a mere bounty hunter to a power-wielding saviour is nothing short of spectacular. One can’t miss the power yielding action sequences between Amitabhji and Prabhas. Unbelievable!
Deepika Padukone as SUM 80 has impeccably nailed her character. She commands the screen with restrained yet powerful performance and body language which solidifies her role as a standout in the ensemble cast.
A project is incomplete without its supporting cast. Every character, regardless of their screen time, played pivotal roles in driving the story forward.
The only area of opportunity I see in this enterprise lies in the BGM and lyrics which could have been enhanced. Nevertheless, this movie deserves a resounding round of applause for its contribution to taking Indian Cinema to global heights.
Thank you for entertaining us and for being an inspiration. Cheers!
Much love,
Pinky