Legendary actor Kamal Haasan recently shared his enthusiasm for his role as the antagonist in the highly anticipated film “Kalki 2898 AD”. The veteran actor revealed his long-standing desire to portray a villain on screen and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity presented by the futuristic drama. The film, produced by Vyjayanthi Movies, is set to grace theaters worldwide on June 27, 2024.
Set in a post-apocalyptic world, “Kalki 2898 AD” boasts a star-studded cast, including Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan as the immortal Ashwatthama and popular actor Prabhas as Bhairava, an avatar of the Hindu god Vishnu. Kamal Haasan takes on the role of Supreme Yaskin, adding to the film’s lineup of formidable characters. Deepika Padukone also stars in the movie, playing the role of Sumathi.
At a recent promotional event for the film, Kamal Haasan shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes moment with Amitabh Bachchan. “I was telling Amit ji (Bachchan) backstage about how I always wanted to play a bad man because the bad man gets to do all the good things. While the heroes are singing romantic songs and waiting for the heroine, he (the bad guy) can just go ahead and do what he wants,” Kamal Haasan recounted.
He continued, “I thought I’m going to play the bad man, so it’s going to be fun. But then, Nag (Ashwin, the director) wanted it to be different. I’m almost like a sage in the film with a bad idea.” The veteran actor’s comments shed light on the unique approach to his character.
Speaking about his distinctive bald look in the film, Kamal Haasan explained that the idea was to create something that had never been seen before. “We wanted it (the look) to not resemble anything I had done already or something that someone else had done. I had a fantastic idea, and without seeing any images of the film, I thought I would dress myself up in such a way that people would turn around and look at me,” he said.
Haasan shared his excitement about working with the star-studded cast and the film’s visionary director. “I was doing some research and found out that Amit ji is part of the film. Then I thought I’ll come with armor, but I was told that Prabhas has got that covered. I didn’t want to be pregnant in the film, referring to Padukone’s character Sumathi, otherwise, I would have tried that as well.
. With a good director, even that would have been possible,” the 69-year-old actor said with a laugh.
Amitabh Bachchan, another legendary figure in Indian cinema, praised the film’s director, Nag Ashwin, for his groundbreaking vision. “When Nag came to me and explained the concept, I thought it was absolutely outrageous. It’s just unbelievable to have someone conceive a project that is so futuristic,” Bachchan stated at the promotional event.
He further elaborated on Ashwin’s dedication to the project, saying, “Nag surprised the team at every turn by getting all the material, all the effects, every kind of visual needed to realize his vision. To have worked in a setup where they’ve gone beyond what most of us have been doing all our lives in this film industry… I appreciate the fact that we’re moving a little ahead of the times.”
Also present at the event was mom-to-be Deepika Padukone, who made a stunning appearance in an all-black dress that highlighted her baby bump. The host of the event, Rana Daggubati, introduced Deepika and jokingly asked if she was still in character. With a hearty laugh, Deepika responded, “The movie went on for about three years. So I thought, why not? Just three months more.”
Reflecting on her experience working in “Kalki 2898 AD”, Deepika said, “It was an incredible experience, a great learning journey. We went through different phases, discovering what the film was all about.” In the movie, Deepika plays a pregnant woman, and the trailer reveals her character carrying a child who brings a nemesis for the evil forces in the story.
As the film’s release date approaches, anticipation builds among fans eager to witness this groundbreaking project come to life on the big screen. With a stellar cast, visionary direction, and a storyline set in a dystopian future, “Kalki 2898 AD” promises to be a cinematic spectacle unlike any other in Indian cinema.
Indian cinema has witnessed numerous notable films, but the fusion of a legendary cast and an ambitious plot in “Kalki 2898 AD” seems set to break new ground, charting a course toward uncharted territories in filmmaking. The actors’ shared excitement and the film’s innovative approach herald a new chapter in the evolution of Telugu and Hindi cinema.
