Currently, the Indian film industry is abuzz with discussions about ‘Kalki 2898 AD‘. Two weeks post-release, the film’s collections are still robust, exceeding all box office expectations. Director Nag Ashwin has creatively intertwined mythology with the future, earning acclaim for his innovative storytelling. Audiences feel they’ve been taken to another world while watching the film. Yet, there’s growing speculation that what we’ve witnessed is merely a precursor. Rumors suggest the sequel will be on a scale never seen before, with expectations that if ‘Kalki’ had a target of ₹1000 crores, Part 2 will aim for ₹2000 crores.
The Real Story is in ‘Part 2’!
‘Kalki 2898 AD’ appears to serve primarily as an introduction to its characters. The narrative centers around Prabhas as Bhairava, Deepika Padukone as Sumati, Amitabh Bachchan as Ashwatthama, Kamal Hassan as the villain Supreme Yashkin, and Vijay Deverakonda as Arjuna. The first installment focuses on establishing each character’s background and significance within the storyline. It portrays the trials faced by people at the end of Kali Yuga and the turmoil inflicted by the villain Supreme Yashkin. This part sets the stage for the anticipated arrival of Kalki, the tenth avatar of Vishnu. Interestingly, the hero Prabhas and the villain Supreme Yashkin do not encounter each other in this installment. In ‘Part 2’, they are expected to finally meet face-to-face, adding a layer of anticipation and intrigue to the sequel.
Kamal Hassan’s Full Presence
In the Kalki 1st part, Kamal Hassan’s role lasts less than 15 minutes, with very few dialogues, limiting the audience’s opportunity to see his performance. By injecting a serum derived from Sumati (Deepika Padukone), Supreme Yashkin gains divine powers, becoming even more powerful, as shown at the climax of ‘Kalki’. This suggests that Kamal Hassan’s character will be fully developed in ‘Kalki 2’. At a recent event, Kamal himself confirmed he would have a more significant presence in the sequel. Consequently, there might be a chance for the fans to see a full-blown transformation of Prabhas from Bhairava to Karna, directly combating Supreme Yashkin along with Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan).
How Will Bhairava Discover His Power?
The director Nag Ashwin surprised everyone by turning Prabhas’s Bhairava into Karna at the climax. The film showed a weapon from the Mahabharata falling into Bhairava’s hands, transforming him into Karna. After Yashkin kills several people, Bhairava reverts to his original form. The first part ends with Bhairava abducting pregnant Sumati. How will Prabhas realize he is Karna in the second part? What does Bhairava do with Sumati whom he kidnapped for a bounty? How will he become close to his brother Ashwatthama? How will he confront the villain Yashkin who is blocking Kalki’s arrival? These questions will be answered in the second part.
Full-Length Role for Vijay!
Vijay Deverakonda , appearing as Arjuna in Kalki, stunned everyone. He impressed in the Kurukshetra episode from the Mahabharata. However, it turns out Vijay’s role isn’t just a cameo. Film circles are abuzz that he will have a full-length character in the second part. Will they bring Arjuna’s character forward into the future, or will they show more scenes related to Kurukshetra where Vijay will appear? This remains to be seen. Additionally, rumors suggest that Malayalam actor Dulquer Salmaan’s role will also return in the second part. If this happens, ‘Kalki 2’ is easily expected to reach the ₹2000 crore mark based on the star power this will bring to the film.
When is ‘Kalki 2’ Releasing?
Following the super success of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, all eyes are on the release of the second part. Recently, producer Ashwini Dutt spoke about ‘Kalki Part-2’, revealing that shooting might start towards the end of this year. They plan to release the film in theaters by the summer of 2025. This has led to celebrations among Prabhas’s fans who are eagerly commenting on social media, asking for an official update soon and expressing their anticipation for Part 2.
