Mahanati vs Kalki
Kalki 2898AD has become a significant box office success, creating a lot of buzz not only locally but also in the North and overseas. The movie’s impressive collections have set the stage for a highly anticipated second part, with audiences and trade analysts expecting even more. The film’s success is widely attributed to its lead actor, Prabhas, whose name has become synonymous with the movie’s achievement.
When mythological VFX-based films are released, it is common for the director to share the limelight with the actors. For instance, Rajamouli’s name became a household word with the release of Baahubali. However, in the case of Kalki 2898AD, Nag Ashwin’s name isn’t as prominent as Prabhas’s in discussions about the film’s success.
Several elements of Kalki 2898AD have been praised, including its unique world, production design, and VFX. These aspects, combined with a star-studded cast, contributed significantly to the film’s success. Despite these successes, Nag Ashwin is encouraged to review the project critically to understand what worked and what didn’t.
Comparing Mahanati and Kalki 2898AD may seem like comparing apples and oranges, but it highlights important lessons for Nag Ashwin. Mahanati showcased Ashwin’s strength in evoking human emotions, writing well-developed characters, and paying attention to detail in storytelling. In contrast, Kalki 2898AD had several issues despite its grandeur and unique world.
One major flaw in Kalki 2898AD is the inclusion of too many cameos, which undermines the film’s seriousness. Cameos by actors like Avasarala Srinivas, Faria, Anudeep, and RGV did not add value to the story. The hero’s character arc, played by Prabhas, was poorly conceived. For instance, the film fails to convincingly explain Prabhas’s obsession with going to the Complex. The relationship between Prabhas’s character and DQ’s character, which should have been a significant emotional anchor, feels hollow and unmemorable.
Additionally, the character of Mariam, played by Shobhana, lacks depth. Despite Shobhana’s goodwill and the potential for a powerful character akin to Ramya Krishnan’s in Baahubali, her role is underdeveloped. Even the presence of legendary actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan (the latter being reserved mostly for the second part) couldn’t save the film from its character development flaws.
Nag Ashwin excelled in creating the premise of the story, the unique world, and incorporating mythological references with a futuristic angle. However, the film falters in basic storytelling and character development. Despite these issues, the film’s grand scale and strong cast helped cover up many flaws.
Nag Ashwin’s previous work, Mahanati, is often cited as a far superior film compared to Kalki 2898AD. Mahanati, a biopic of legendary actress Savitri, masterfully evoked emotions and showcased Ashwin’s talent in writing and storytelling. While Kalki 2898AD may earn significant revenue, it lacks the emotional depth and character strength that Mahanati possessed.
Nag Ashwin has proven his capability to handle complex projects and innovative ideas. The success of Kalki 2898AD should not overshadow its flaws. As a filmmaker known for his humility and attention to detail, Ashwin is expected to learn from these mistakes and improve in the sequel of Kalki. By focusing on character development and storytelling, he can ensure that his Kalki sequel is not only visually spectacular but also emotionally resonant.
