The 7 Immortals of Kalki, Are those key to the story?

Chiranjeevis are legendary figures known for their immortality, as detailed in the Puranas. According to Hindu mythology, they are believed to still inhabit the Himalayas. The reason this topic is relevant now is due to the significant buzz surrounding their portrayal in the upcoming Pan-India film ‘Kalki 2898 AD.’ This excitement is amplified by reports that Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan will play Ashwathama, lending further authenticity to the buzz. So, who are these Chiranjeevis, and who would be the ideal candidates to portray them in the Kalki movies? Let’s delve into these details.

Who are the Seven Immortals?

According to the Puranas, the seven immortals, Ashwathama, King Bali, Hanuman, Vibhishana, Kripacharya, Parasurama, and Vyasa, are known as the Saptarishi. They are believed to still exist on Earth, invisible to humans. Ashwathama was cursed with immortality by Lord Krishna, while King Bali was granted immortality by the grace of Vamana. Similarly, Vyasa and Hanuman were blessed for their devotion to Lord Rama, and Vibhishana was granted immortality due to his allegiance to Rama. Kripacharya had a unique birth and Parasurama had immense penance power, both granted immortality. All these figures are recognized as the seven immortals in our scriptures.

The Seven Immortals in the Kalki Film?

There’s news that these immortals will feature in the upcoming Prabhas film ‘Kalki 2898 AD.’ Official announcements have already confirmed that Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan will play Ashwathama. It is also rumored that Prabhas will appear as the avatar of Lord Vishnu, Parasurama. However, there is keen interest in who will be cast for the other roles. With a veteran actor like Amitabh portraying Ashwathama, there’s speculation that casting other legendary actors for the remaining roles would be fitting. For Hanuman, superstar Chiranjeevi, for Vibhishana, Rajinikanth, for King Bali, Mohanlal, for Vyasa, Kannada star Shiva Rajkumar, and for Kripacharya, Bollywood veteran Anil Kapoor are seen as fitting choices. Meanwhile, names like Nani, Vijay Deverakonda, and Jr NTR are also being considered for roles in Kalki. It remains to be seen how this will unfold.

Substantial Remuneration for Kamal

There are reports that veteran actor Kamal Haasan will appear as ‘Kali’ in the Kalki film. Initially, there were rumors that Kamal would play the antagonist to Prabhas. According to the latest buzz, Kamal has received a substantial remuneration for this role, reportedly around 50 crores from the film unit. In comparison, Amitabh Bachchan, who plays Ashwathama, was reportedly paid 10 crores, reflecting the lesser screen time his character has compared to Kamal’s, as per discussions in Bollywood circles. Meanwhile, Bollywood beauties Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani are cast opposite Prabhas in the film.