Kalki 2898 AD is a 2024 Indian science fiction action film directed by Nag Ashwin. Set in a dystopian future, the film follows Bhairava (Prabhas), a powerful warrior with mysterious origins, as he navigates a world plagued by warfare and environmental devastation.

Cast

• Prabhas as Bhairava
• Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama
• Deepika Padukone as Sumathi (SUM-80)
• Kamal Haasan as Supreme Yaskin
• Saswata Chatterjee as Commander Manas
• Shobhana as Mariam

Plot

In the year 2898 AD, the tenth and final avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kalki, is poised to be born, heralding a new era amidst a dystopian landscape. 

Bhairava, a scavenger, stumbles upon Sumathi, a pregnant refugee from the Complex’s Project K laboratory.

Sumathi is protected by the immortal Ashwatthama, who is on a mission to protect her and her child, who may be the messiah that will save the world.

The film merges aspects of Indian mythology with futuristic advancements, culminating in monumental battles that traverse both physical and spiritual domains. 

Bhairava revealed to be a reincarnation of Karna from the Mahabharata, faces choices amidst adverse circumstances. Production

• Director: Nag Ashwin
• Producers: C Aswani Dutt, Swapna Dutt, Priyanka Dutt
• Production Company: Vyjayanthi Movies
• Budget: Estimated at ₹72 crore, making it one of the most costly Indian films ever produced

Release and Reception

Kalki 2898 AD was released in theaters on June 27, 2024, in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada. 

The film has emerged as a box office sensation, grossing over $84 million globally and entering the global charts at While the film may require some patience, it offers a satisfying audio-visual experience for those who enjoy epic battles between good and evil. 

The visual effects and computer graphics consistently express the familiar sci-fi tropes and settings.

The film’s success has led director Nag Ashwin to reveal plans for Part 2, teasing a resolution of all loose ends and an intense face-off among the lead characters. 

Ashwin aims to fuse the Mahabharata battles from vintage Telugu films with universes akin to Star Wars and X-Men.

Story Summary

Kalki 2898 AD is a 2024 Indian Telugu-language epic science fiction film set in a post-apocalyptic world in 2898 AD.

The story revolves around Bhairava (Prabhas), a powerful warrior with mysterious origins who navigates a world plagued by warfare and environmental devastation.

Bhairava is drawn into an ancient prophecy and becomes entangled in a quest to save Kalki, the unborn child of SUM-80, a lab subject carrying the tenth avatar of Lord Vishnu.

The film combines elements of Indian mythology with futuristic advancements, culminating in monumental battles that traverse physical and spiritual domains.

Bhairava revealed to be a reincarnation of Karna from the Mahabharata, faces choices amidst adverse circumstances.

The story unfolds in Kasi, a dilapidated urban slum, and Shambala, a hidden city of rebels waiting for Kalki’s arrival to reset the world.

The film features a star-studded cast, including Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama, an immortal warrior from the Mahabharata, and Deepika Padukone as SUM-80.

Kamal Haasan plays the antagonist Supreme Yaskin, who rules the complex and seeks to find the magical city of Shambhala.

The film’s grand narrative explores themes of destiny, redemption, and the consequences of choices amidst a backdrop of dystopia and mythology.

Frequently Asked Questions