What is Kalki 2898 inspired from? Lore behind the film, explored

Prabhas and Deepika Padukone's latest feature, Kalki 2898 AD, is out in theaters now as it released on Thursday, June 27.

The epic sci-fi movie is a mix of science fiction and draws inspiration from the deeply rooted Indian mythology of Kalki, who is believed to be the tenth incarnation or the avatar of Lord Vishnu in Hinduism.

The official film synopsis reads:

"A modern-day avatar of Vishnu, a Hindu god, who is believed to have descended on earth to protect the world from evil forces."

With its cinematic hybrid of technology and mythology, many fans and movie-goers are wondering about the origins of the movie. Read on to find out more about the latest dystopian drama.

---

Is Kalki 2898 based on a true story?

While Kalki 2898 AD is heavily influenced by Hindu mythology, it is not based on a real story. Instead, the latest Prabhas-led sci-fi drama is a work of fiction. It depicts a futuristic narrative of the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, and the Kalki Purana (the Hindu text), reimagined by Telugu director Nag Ashwin.

The story unfolds in a place called Kashi, set in the post-apocalyptic world. Actress Deepika Padukone plays Sumathi (SUM-80), a pregnant laboratory subject. She is believed to be carrying a special child (the Vishnu avatar).

That said, the movie features an inherent Indian mythological theme as described in the title. In Hindu beliefs, Kalki is considered the tenth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is a much-awaited "promised" Messiah in Hinduism.

While the possible timeline of his arrival on earth is debatable, Kalki is believed to come to earth to end the Kali Yuga and usher in Satya Yuga. Kali Yuga is said to be the era of disbelief, deceit, sin, and darkness. On the other hand, Satya Yuga is the Golden Age, which is supposed to bring virtue and righteousness.

---

Mahabharata characters depicted in the movie

While the movie is set in a dystopic era (the year 2898 AD), most of its major characters can be traced back to the Hindu scriptures that inspired the film.

For one, there is Ashwatthama, the Mahabharata character cursed by Lord Krishna. He is given a lifelong punishment of living a tortured life after using the Brahmastra against Uttara, thereby killing her unborn baby. In the film, Ashwatthama is portrayed by legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan.

For the unversed, the ancient epic Mahabharata centers around cousins - the Pandavas (5 brothers) and Kauravas (100) - who fight for the throne of Hastinapura. This rivalry leads to the Kurukshetra War.

Another character Uttara is also present in the film, played by Malvika Nair. She is the wife of Abhimanyu (one of the Pandavas), whose unborn child dies after getting hit by Ashwatthama's deadly weapon while she is pregnant. In the epic, Lord Krishna brings back the child to life.

Arjuna, played by Vijay Deverakonda, is the third of the five Pandava brothers known for being a skilled archer and a key hero in the ancient Indian epic. Moreover, the concluding fight scene in the movie between Arjuna and Bhairava (Prabhas) unveils the latter's duality (his Mahabharata character).

---

Kalki 2898 is well-received by audience

Kalki 2898 AD is one of the highly awaited films of 2024. With a first-of-its-kind storyline, immersive Hollywood-esque cinematography, star-studded cast, the film had gotten plenty of hype before its release.

On day one of its theatrical premiere, Nag Ashwin's latest film is off to a record-breaking star at the box office. According to Sacnilk, Kalki 2898 AD is now the third-highest Indian opener, following SS Rajamouli's Oscar-winner titled RRR (2022) at number one and Baahubali (2017) at number two.

Moreover, the film has received unanimous acclaim and high ratings across different platforms.

---

Catch Kalki 2898 AD showing in cinemas worldwide now.