After months of build-up, the epic Indian tent-poleKalki 2898 ADwas released this week to blockbuster box office response in theaters worldwide. Billed as a science-fiction spectacle with elements of Hindu mythology,Kalkidelivered the third-biggest global box office debut in Indian cinema history, in addition to delivering the best stateside debut for an Indian movie ever. With a $5.5 million opening day haul that also includes preview figures,Kalkiovertook the $5.4 million opening day gross ofRRR, which is arguably India’s biggest crossover hit. Directed byS.S. Rajamouli,RRRwent on to generate nearly $15 million domestically, and around $170 million worldwide in 2022.
The film’s $26 million global opening day gross remains unchallenged, withKalki 2898 ADreporting a day one worldwide haul of ₹191 crore, which converts toaround $23 million. Interestingly,KalkistarPrabhasis now responsible for three of the top five biggest opening day hauls in the history of Indian cinema. He also led the number two film on this list,Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, which generated $25 million in 2017, and last year starred inSalaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire, which generated around $21 million on day one. Two other Prabhas-starrers -AdipurushandSaaho- occupy spots further down the top 10 list.
Kalki’s box office performance marks not only a much-needed return to form for the struggling Indian box office, but also for Prabhas himself. After the global success ofBaahubali 2, the star appeared in a string of big-budget bombs, withSalaarending the sorry streak last year.Kalkiwas an acid test for him, and while it’s still early days, the movie is clearly off to an encouraging start. But there’s still a long way to go;Kalkihas beenbilled as the most expensive Indian film production of all time, witha reported budget of around $75 million. The movie combinesdystopian science-fiction tropesabout social inequality and dictatorship with themes andcharacters from the Hindu epic Mahabharata.
Reviews for the film have been mixed.Kalki 2898 ADsits at a “fresh” 64% approval rating on the review aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes. Prabhas plays a bounty hunter named Bhairava, who operates in a post-apocalyptic world with his AI companion, Bujji. He is tasked with apprehending a woman named Sumathi, played byDeepika Padukone. Sumathi is said to be pregnant with a messiah whose arrival had long been prophesied, and is being protected by the Immortal Ashwatthama, a character straight out of the Mahabharata, played by Indian acting iconAmitabh Bachchan.
Kalkiis being screened inmultiple Indian languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, and English.India has several film industries that operate independently of each other, although occasionally, talent actors and filmmakers from across the diverse country come together to create what is popularly known as a “pan-Indian film.“Kalkiis one of them, a movie designed to play in every corner of the country, and also abroad. Directed byNag Ashwin, the movie is expected to start a franchise, and also starsKamal Haasan,Disha Patani,Keerthy Suresh, and features cameos by major stars such asDulquer SalmaanandVijay Deverakonda. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Kalki 2898 AD
In a dystopian future, society is on the brink of collapse, ruled by corrupt powers exploiting technology and religion. A mysterious figure emerges, believed by some to be the prophesized warrior destined to overthrow the tyrants and restore balance. As he gathers followers, his quest becomes a symbol of hope for the oppressed, challenging the very fabric of the corrupt regime.
