'Kalki 2898 AD': Amitabh Bachchan to play the immortal Ashwatthama!
Finally, the long-awaited moment has arrived! Amitabh Bachchan's character in the much-anticipated sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD was unveiled to the world on Sunday. The first full glimpse revealed that he will essay the immortal Ashwatthama in the film. Earlier, a captivating poster was also released, featuring Bachchan adorned in an all-white attire, standing within the majestic confines of a temple, his gaze fixed upon a luminous beam of light.
Why does this story matter?
Kalki 2898 AD—helmed by Nag Ashwin and backed by Vyjayanthi Movies—is hailed as one of India's most significant cinematic events of the year, mounted on an alleged reported budget of ₹600cr. The film has already garnered international praise following its premiere at San Diego Comic-Con last year. This multilingual production is tentatively scheduled for release on May 9, though the Lok Sabha Elections have cast a shadow on its timely release.
Major reveal of Bachchan's role through exciting teaser
The highly-awaited teaser begins with a child questioning Bachchan's character about his identity, to which he responds, "I am Guru Drona's son, Ashwatthama," leading to the highly anticipated revelation. Meanwhile, earlier on Sunday, Bachchan took to X to share his character poster with the caption: "It's been an experience for me like no other...The mind to think such a product, the execution the exposure to modern technology and above all the company of colleagues with stratospheric Super star presence..."
Take a look at the big reveal here!
Meet the cast and crew of 'Kalki 2898 AD'
The film features a star-studded cast including Prabhas, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani. Meanwhile, reports indicate a guest appearance by Vijay Deverakonda, with speculation surrounding roles for Jr NTR and Nani in some scenes, too. Meanwhile, talents such as Santhosh Narayanan for music, Djordje Stojiljkovic for cinematography, and Nitin Zihani Choudhary for production design, known for their work in the critically acclaimed and commercially successful film Tumbbad (2018), are involved in the project.
Film is said to be inspired by 'Mahabharata,' 'Star Wars'
While the plot details of the forthcoming film remain under wraps, the film is touted as a futuristic story deeply rooted in Indian mythology. Earlier, Ashwin shed light on the film's concept in an interview, stating, "I love science fiction and mythology, and I grew up with both Mahabharata and Star Wars." "Making a film that combines both these worlds felt ideal, and thus, Kalki 2898 AD was born," he stated.
