Trailer release of Kalki: Review, reactions, and anticipation

High-budgeted Kalki is set to be released globally on the 27th of June with themes of the Mahabharat war to a dystopian future. 

Baahubali fame Prabhas toiled to follow the success of Baahubali with movies like Radhe-Shyam, Salaar, Saaho, and Adipurush but failed. A global hit like Baahubali is something Prabhas again needs to sustain his disposition as a worldwide star and here he comes with a new big-budget project called ‘Kalki 2898 AD’.

World of Kalki 2898

The teaser release, 10 months ago, spiked the audience’s interest when Nag Ashvin showcased the Kalki in a dystopian futuristic setting of 2898 AD. The teaser showed glimpses of a world of technologically upward weapons, the forgotten gods, a rule to fight against, and various warzone shots. 

Stepping ahead, the Trailer showcased Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama guarding the hero, he might be shown as the guiding light for Kalki in a movie, a younger version of him hints at the sequence of historical Mahabharata time. Director Nag Ashvin has said that the movie covers the span of Mahabharata times to the futuristic world, which is a heavy timeline to be shot and showcased on the screen while maintaining the sync of the story. The story is said to be given a sequel.

Deepika Padukone and Kamaal Hassan are the faces of the movie as well, Deepika’s unborn child would be the avatar of Kalki. Reddit user says “Deepika is at it again being a significant mother to an important child”, considering recent similar roles played by the actress.  Hassan as the villain has a thrilling appearance in the trailer limited to only one scene. 

Religious references explain that Kalki is a futuristic Avatar of Vishnu that would end the Kaliyuga and be the rise of a new yuga according to Hindu chronicles. The trailer lastly does have a mention of a new yuga. 

The Reactions and anticipations 

The trailer released hours ago, has grabbed 11 million views already, the comment section is filled with anticipations and reactions of cinephiles. The need for Indian Heroic tales showcased might be fulfilled by the movie. Audiences are expected to have a Baahubali-like cinematic experience although the story, premise, and worlds are distinct. The movie might get eyes globally with Prabhas being the lead.      

The background score and VFX are something that has delighted the audience whereas cinematic elements are being compared with the Dune series and other movies with similar concepts, the Internet is comparing Prabhas with Hulk whereas some are calling him an Indian superhero. Constant comparison with Marvel and DC is a feared factor considering Adipurush and its visuals. 

The composition of the historical and futuristic worlds executed together is something viewers are anticipating to watch. A multi-starrer movie with a sequel is highly anticipated to be in theaters. The storyline of connecting dots of past to future with an empire to defeat and survival of species are the themes extracted out of the trailer.

The excitement is igniting within the viewers but being taken with a pinch of salt as VFX in some scenes is a little off-putting according to some Reddit users. A story with such a grand timeline might be heavy to stomach while the addition of Disha Patani wasn’t welcomed by some viewers. 

Indian cinephiles will be eagerly awaiting a great potential Indian heroic tale on June 27th, regardless.