FINALLY, Sage Vyasa's incredible Hindu epic Mahabharata, has come to life in the big screen via the super fantasy Pan-Indian movie 'Kalki 2898 AD'. And what a spectacle it was. To keep it straight, the movie and the way epic Mahabharata was shown in it - it was just simply exhilarating.
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Smriti texts and Sanskrit epics of ancient India revered in Hinduism, the other being the Ramayana.
It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kurukshetra War, a war of succession between two groups of princely cousins, the families of Kauravas and the Pandavas.
In fact the movie starts from just there, the aftermath of the Kurukshetra War, where it was written that the war saw the milions and millions of men die needlessly due to the animosity of the two families.
But Mahabharata was just more than just a war between two families. It also contains philosophical and devotional material, such as a discussion of the four "goals of life" and what a human must go through in the walk of what you call LIFE.
For this writer, Mahabharatha was introduced by his elder siblings through the stories told in Indian comic mags 'Amar Chitra Katha'. And ever since my older siblings introduced me to this epic, which is in fact the world's longest poem, I have been hooked to it and the principles it teaches human beings (which unfortunately never been followed by most humans where these days only race and religion matters).
This writer has since read so many versions of the book and have made it a habit to buy the book in any kind of its versions. And every time I do that and read the book it has always been an exceptional experience time and again.
And for me to see a movie with the Mahabharatha as its background, it was indeed a very, very happy experience.
Sivaji Ganesan's 'Karna' was the closest of success when it comes to adapting this famous historic story. And that was in 1964.
Since then, frankly none even came close. There was a famous TV series on the book in India but when it comes to a full fledged movie, nobody could just do it and some of the top directors who were said to be interested in it, did not even dare to attempt it.
Until now, that is. 'Kalki 2898 AD' directed by Nag Ashwin is simply a visual spectacle and amazing ride. The movie is just like a ride on a roller-coaster which starts at a slow pace and then picks up super speed and never letting up.
For a South Indian movie to attempt something so classy and excellent, it just goes to show how far the Indian movies has come since their running around the trees segment days.
With “Kalki 2898 AD,” Telugu cinema filmmaker Nag Ashwin actually rifles through a century of sci-fi and fantasy extravaganzas to create a wildly uneven mashup of everything from Fritz Lang’s “Metropolis” to Marvel Comics movies, underpinned by elements from the epic “Mahabharatha.”
It’s billed, perhaps optimistically, as the first chapter of the Kalki Cinematic Universe franchise. For the record, Kalki is the messiah prophesied as the tenth and final incarnation of the god Vishnu.
He is described to appear in order to end the Kali Yuga, one of the four periods in the endless cycle of existence (Krita) in Vaishnava cosmology. The end of the Kali Yuga states this will usher in the new epoch of Satya Yuga in the cycle of existence, until the Mahapralaya (dissolution of the universe).
Kalki it seems the main character behind the movie and its him being born to a troubled, troubled world is the main play of the movie.
In fact, the movie starts with Lord Krishna cursing the warrior Ashwatthama to an eternal life as punishment for a grave misdeed during the end of war in Mahabharatha, but allowed him a shot at redemption if he someday assisted in the birth of Kalki, the tenth and final avatar of Vishnu.
On the other hand, moviegoers throughout the world should have no trouble identifying (and in many cases appreciating) Ashwin’s numerous visual and narrative allusions to “Dune,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Star Wars,” “Black Panther,” “Blade Runner,” “Mad Max,” the Harry Potter movies and a dozen or so other pieces of intellectual property.
But while the pace is slow at the beginning of the movie, it's more of a plate of sweets that starts the dinner date before the main course.
And how the movie brings the legendary warriors Arjuna and Karna into the movie was a job well done.
Karna, the tragic hero of Mahabharatha, but always the most virtuous and bravest of them all, may be given the all-important role in this story. Going further will spoil the taste and it best for moviegoers to just enjoy the the three-hour spectacle at the cinema by themselves.
The movie has started in India in a fantastic note, breaking all records and setting new benchmarks already in the first three days of the launch. The film has surpassed records previously held by 'RRR' and 'Salaar,' marking significant milestones in Indian cinema and may even supass the efforts of the much-loved 'Bahubaali'.
In a historic achievement, 'Kalki 2898 AD' shattered the North American premiere record. The film, despite being released on fewer screens (8.2k compared to 'RRR's' 10.2k), grossed US$3.5 million from its premiere shows. This surpasses the US$3 million mark set by SS Rajamouli's 'RRR,; making 'Kalki 2898 AD' the highest-grossing Indian film at its North American premiere.
The film's success extends beyond North America. In Hyderabad, 'Kalki 2898 AD' set a new record for the highest opening day advance booking, collecting Rs 15.84 crore from 1,648 shows. This surpasses the previous records of 'Salaar' (Rs 12.11 crore) and 'RRR' (Rs 10.57 crore).
Both fans and critics have praised the film for its grandeur and stellar performances. Indian super megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who plays the immortal Ashwatthama, posted a cryptic message on social media emphasising patience, adding to the film's buzz.
In short, this writer would just like to say to movie lovers that they should take a trip to the nearest cinema, sit back, enjoy the popcorn and the visual treat and the excellent storyline of the movie. It may just turn out to be an unforgettable experience for all.
