Kalki 2898 AD has sent ripples through Tinseltown like never before, as characters such as Bhairava, Ashwatthama, and Kali made a grand entrance earlier this week with the breathtaking trailer of Nag Ashwin’s highly anticipated sci-fi epic. Teasing an unprecedented experience from an Indian production, the trailer did not just make headlines for its mythological references and spectacular action sequences but also for its visually stunning grand canvas, which can stand shoulder to shoulder with its Western counterparts. Fan theories are already swirling, with inevitable comparisons to iconic Hollywood sci-fi films.
Here are some Hollywood productions that could have inspired Nag Ashwin’s upcoming film:
A still from the trailer of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
| Photo Credit: Vyjayanthi Network/YouTube
Whether it is the towering skyscrapers in Fritz Lang’s Metropolis or the subterranean bunkers showcased in Prime Video’s Fallout, science fiction has long depicted how when society collapses, the elite ensure they are far removed from the suffering of the masses. The trailer for Kalki 2898 AD seems to present a dystopian future where the wealthy rule from the sky city of Complex—a clear illustration of the wealth divide reminiscent of the sky city of Zalem in 2019’s Alita: Battle Angel. Robert Rodriguez’s 2019 film depicted the rich oppressing the poor and followed the journey of an amnesiac female cyborg who learns she is the last of a unique cyborg shock troop and vows to take down her enemies in Zalem. Don’t be surprised if Kalki follows a similar narrative arc.
In Hinduism, Kalki is the final avatar of the god Vishnu, destined to appear as a messiah during the apocalypse known as Kali Yuga. Like Vishnu’s avatar Rama, Kalki is prophesied to be a sentient being unaware of his true identity. The trailer hints at a messianic figure, much like Paul Atreides in Dune, who is fated to dismantle the corrupt high society that rules this world. But who is this promised Messiah? Amitabh Bachchan’s Ashwatthama suggests it could be the unborn child of Deepika Padukone’s character. Or perhaps it’s Prabhas’ Bhairava? Regardless, Ashwatthama appears akin to Stilgar (Javier Bardem’s Fremen tribe leader in Dune), who will train Kalki to overthrow their foes.
A still from the trailer of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
| Photo Credit: Vyjayanthi Network/YouTube
In almost any post-apocalyptic society, there exists a power struggle between an oppressive ruling class and the oppressed masses. This high society seizing control is a concept that has been popularized by the Star Wars franchise, where the Galactic Empire governs the galaxy. A more recent exploration of this theme can be seen in Denis Villeneuve’s adaptation of Dune, where noble houses like Atreides and Harkonnen battle for supremacy. The ruling class in Kalki 2898 AD seems to evoke a similar high society. The contrast between the opulent landscape of Complex and the desolate sand dunes outside the city of Kashi paints a stark picture.
Mainstream sci-fi often features a trope where the messiah starts as a naive and irresponsible young man, oblivious to his potential or destiny. Characters like Neo in The Matrix, Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy, Jake Sully in Avatar, and Karthi’s Muthu in Aayirathil Oruvan embody this trope.
. Bhairava seems poised to join this list of reluctant heroes. “In this world, you have to be on only one side: your own side,” Bhairava declares as he chases Deepika’s character, only to be confronted by Ashwatthama.
A still from the trailer of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
| Photo Credit: Vyjayanthi Network/YouTube
Star Wars was likely the first sci-fi film to tackle how dystopian societies adopt new global currencies for survival. The concept of ‘units’ as currency has since become commonplace in sci-fi films, seen in Guardians of the Galaxy, the virtual reality world in Ready Player One, Woolong in Cowboy Bebop, and Chin-Yen in Blade Runner, among others. In Ashwin’s film, Bhairava references ‘Units’ as a currency for trade.
A still from the trailer of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
| Photo Credit: Vyjayanthi Network/YouTube
The trailer’s opening shot features a War Rig-like heavy-duty vehicle traversing a desert that could make George Miller himself take a second look. The vehicles in Kalki 2898 AD seem heavily inspired by notable sci-fi titles.
Bhairava’s Bujji, which even got its own animated show recently, will likely remind viewers of the Batmobile in Dark Knight or the flying car, Spinner, in Blade Runner.
A still from the trailer of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
| Photo Credit: Vyjayanthi Network/YouTube
Another vehicle appearing briefly is a hovercraft, resembling the Chitauri Chariots from The Avengers and the Speeder Bikes from Star Wars.
A still from the trailer of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
| Photo Credit: Vyjayanthi Network/YouTube
Sci-fi films are famous for showcasing lightsabers, blasters, energy shields, and plasma rifles. With Kalki 2898 AD, we see red and blue energy blasters similar to Star Wars, invisible energy shields protecting Complex structures like those from Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day, and shields that evoke the Wakandan kinetic energy-powered shields from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
A still from the trailer of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
| Photo Credit: Vyjayanthi Network/YouTube
Let’s delve into what has sparked several fan theories: Ashwatthama’s enigmatic… Mind Stone? The trailer shows him in three different timelines—after the Kurukshetra war, with the gem still on his forehead, and without the gem but with a bloodied bandage around his head. This peculiar detail has spurred numerous theories. One popular theory posits that Ashwatthama, cursed by Krishna, is now protecting the unborn child as a form of penance for trying to kill the Pandavas’ unborn children during the Kurukshetra War.
A still from the trailer of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
| Photo Credit: Vyjayanthi Network/YouTube
While this theory seems plausible, many questions remain unanswered. What is the red stone wielded by a villain? Could it be the 6,000-year-old energy that led to the unborn child’s creation? We also see a glow on the antagonist Kali’s forehead, played by Kamal Haasan, prompting speculation—is he wielding Ashwatthama’s gem? Does this grant him prophetic visions?
These questions and more will be addressed when Kalki 2898 AD hits theaters on June 27.
A still from the trailer of ‘Kalki 2898 AD’
| Photo Credit: Vyjayanthi Network/YouTube
