Kalki 2898 AD: Box Office

Kalki 2898 AD had a massive opening and continued to perform well at the box office, making it one of the most anticipated and successful films of the year. Here’s a breakdown of its box office performance:

Opening Day Performance:

• Worldwide Collection: ₹191.5 crore
• Breakdown by Language:
  • Telugu: ₹64.5 crore
  • Hindi: ₹27.5 crore
  • Tamil: ₹4 crore
  • Malayalam: ₹2.2 crore
  • Kannada: ₹30 lakh
• It became the third-highest opener in Indian cinema, surpassing films like Jawan and KGF Chapter 2 in its opening day, trailing only behind Baahubali 2 and RRR. (source)

Global Box Office:

• By July 9, 2024, it surpassed ₹900 crore globally, with ₹250 crore from the Telugu market and ₹220 crore from the Hindi market. (source)

• Domestic Performance (within 25 days):

  • Hindi: ₹277.4 crore
  • Telugu: ₹280 crore
  • Tamil: ₹35.3 crore
  • Malayalam: ₹24 crore
  • Kannada: ₹5.25 crore
  • Total Net Collection in India: ₹621.95 crore (source)

Kalki 2898 AD Review:

Director: Nag Ashwin
Cast: Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Disha Patani

The review of Kalki 2898 AD is a mixed one, with praise for the film’s scale and world-building but some criticisms regarding pacing and coherence.

What Worked:

1. Cast Performances:

   • Amitabh Bachchan steals the show as Ashwatthama, a character who is practically indestructible and has lived through various eras. His performance is commanding, and he adds a lot of gravitas to the film.
   • Kamal Haasan, playing the villain Yaskin, is another standout. His portrayal of a powerful antagonist who rules a utopian city adds a significant edge to the film.
   • Prabhas as the protagonist, while being central to the plot, is somewhat overshadowed by the towering performances of Bachchan and Haasan.

2. Visuals and World-Building:

   • The film has impressive visuals, especially in portraying a futuristic, dystopian world. The design of the celestial city hovering over Kashi is one of the standout features, showing the high production values of the film.

3. Climactic Action:

   • The second half of the film picks up with larger-than-life action sequences and confrontations. The climax is explosive and helps elevate the film towards its peak.

What Didn’t Work:

1. Pacing and Story Structure:

   • The film struggles with pacing in the first half, particularly before the interval. The screenplay slows down at times, and the narrative falters with inconsistent developments. The buildup to the climax could have been more cohesive, making it harder for the audience to stay engaged.

2. World-Building and Exposition:

   • While the world-building is ambitious, the film spends a lot of time setting up the universe, which might feel tedious for some viewers. There are references to ancient weapons and prophecies that may be a bit too complex for the audience to fully grasp in one go.

3. Character Development:

   • While the film features a star-studded cast, the character development, especially for Prabhas’ character, is somewhat underwhelming. His role is overshadowed by the more memorable performances of Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan.

4. Tone and Execution:

   • The film’s tone can be inconsistent, and while it tries to balance grand spectacle with personal stakes, it sometimes feels like it’s lost in its ambition. Some viewers might find the shift from intense drama to action-heavy sequences jarring.

Final Thoughts:

Kalki 2898 AD is a visually stunning film with a solid cast and intriguing concepts, but its pacing and narrative structure may not appeal to all viewers. While the second half is filled with action-packed moments that deliver a sense of excitement, the film requires patience to get to that point. It’s a film that showcases India’s ability to produce large-scale, ambitious sci-fi, but it doesn’t always live up to its grand promises. Fans of Indian cinema and those interested in futuristic, epic narratives might still find it worth the watch.