Nag Ashwin REACTS To Criticism Over Kalki 2898 AD ‘Slow’ First-Half

Nag Ashwin’s directorial, Kalki 2898 AD, premiered in cinemas to great excitement last month. The film has been breaking box office records and receiving enthusiastic praise from both critics and audiences. However, a prevailing critique is that many find the first half of the film to be “slow.”

At 3 hours long, Kalki 2898 AD faced criticism for its runtime. Nag Ashwin responded positively, acknowledging valid critiques about scene editing. During a conversation with DNA, he explained the film’s complexity, noting it as the first part that required character introductions, unlike his last film, Mahanati, which focused on a single character. Despite challenges, he saw it as a learning experience amid the positive reception, especially for planning the sequel.

Ashwin felt that overall, the film was well-received, and he plans to carry that positivity into making the sequel. He noted that while some suggested edits, many enjoyed the second half and Kurukshetra sequences, which he appreciates.

Nag Ashwin recalled the challenges of securing finances during the Covid lockdown for pre-production. He noted, “Luckily, we did have the biggest star cast of our country, so we had a little bit of a cushion there. Plus the previous films we (the producers) have done together, worked, so there was goodwill on that front”, he told Hindustan Times.

About Kalki 2898 AD

Nag Ashwin’s film, Kalki 2898 AD, draws heavy inspiration from the Mahabharata. Set in a dystopian future, it centers on four characters: Sumathi (Deepika Padukone), pregnant with what is believed to be the 10th avatar of Vishnu; Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan), tasked with protecting the unborn child; Supreme Yaskin (Kamal Haasan), a ruthless villain seeking to kill the child to avoid his own demise; and Bhairava (Prabhas), a mercenary driven by financial gain.

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