With just seven days until its release, the film ‘Kalki 2898 AD‘ has captured the nation’s attention. Directed by Nag Ashwin and featuring Prabhas, the movie will premiere in two parts, with Part 1 set to release on June 27. A grand pre-release event recently took place in Mumbai on Wednesday. Presenting a futuristic science fiction narrative, the film prompts the question: What is the story behind it? Director Nag Ashwin has recently attempted to briefly outline the story in a special video.
Three Worlds Story
According to a recent video by director Nag Ashwin, the plot of ‘Kalki 2898 AD,’ starring Prabhas, centers on three worlds: Kashi, a complex pyramid-like city situated above Kashi, and the city of Shambhala. Nag Ashwin disclosed that Kashi, also known as Varanasi, is often described in numerous books and inscriptions as the world’s first city and is regarded as the cradle of civilization. He elaborated on the intriguing premise of the film, which hypothesizes what it would mean for Kashi to be the last city in the world, forming the foundation of the story.
The Goal is to Reach the Complex
Imagining Kashi 3000 years in the future, with the Ganga River completely dried up, Nag Ashwin crafted this city’s portrayal for the film ‘Kalki’. He envisioned ‘the Complex’ as a celestial city floating in the sky, rising a kilometer high and evoking an image of heaven. According to him, the Complex holds every imaginable object and material, serving as a paradise filled with plentiful water, food, and lush greenery. The residents of Kashi aspire to visit the Complex and enjoy these amenities. However, powerful entities control the access to these resources, rendering them inaccessible to ordinary people. Gaining entry to the Complex involves immense wealth, making it a life-risking endeavor.
Shambhala: A Refugee Camp
In the latest video, Nag Ashwin provided details about the third world in ‘Kalki,’ known as Shambhala. He explained that Shambhala is recognized in various cultures and is called Shangri-La in Tibetan culture. According to legend, Vishnu’s final avatar will emerge from Shambhala, instilling a belief among its inhabitants that divine assistance will come from there. However, Shambhala essentially serves as a vast refugee camp, offering sanctuary to those fleeing from the members of the Complex. It is also a haven for rebels, who are in constant conflict with the Complex members. The narrative of ‘Kalki’ is driven by the tensions and conflicts among these three worlds.
How Long is ‘Kalki’?
Recently, there has been significant discussion about the runtime of this movie. The censor board has officially announced that the movie’s runtime is 180.55 minutes, which the makers have edited down to just under 3 hours and 55 seconds. It remains to be seen how audiences will react to this epic presentation in theaters. Notably, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Disha Patani, and Deepika Padukone play key roles in the film.
